Former Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sudhakar Badgujar and Babanrao Gholap joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, triggering internal dissent and confusion within the party as senior BJP leaders, including state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and cabinet minister Ravindra Chavan, initially denied having any knowledge of the induction.
The formal induction took place at BJP’s Mumbai office in presence of senior minister Girish Mahajan, amid alleged resistance by local BJP leaders.
Earlier in the day, Bawankule told reporters in Nagpur that he had “no information” on Badgujar’s induction into the party, saying, “In the BJP, decisions of inductions are made in consultation with local leaders, MPs, and MLAs. In this case, there was clear opposition from our Nashik leadership,” he said.
Echoing this, BJP working president and former state minister Ravindra Chavan also told reporters he had no knowledge of Badgujar’s induction, further deepening the confusion.
Despite this, Bawankule later personally welcomed both Badgujar and Gholap at the party office in Mumbai. Explaining the sudden change, Bawankule said, “I believed the induction would take place after a few days, in a grand event. But minister Girish Mahajan organised it today, which led to some miscommunication.”
Sources confirmed that it was Mahajan who called Bawankule and urged him to be present for the induction ceremony, despite his earlier reservations.
According to BJP sources, Bawankule had been hesitant about bringing Badgujar into the party due to the infamous Macau casino episode. In 2023, photos had surfaced showing Bawankule allegedly gambling at a casino while on vacation in Macau— images that were tweeted by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. It was widely suspected that Badgujar had played a role in leaking the photos.
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“Bawankule was not in favour of Badgujar’s induction because of that episode,” a senior party leader said on condition of anonymity. “However, Mahajan went ahead and facilitated the move despite resistance from the state president.”
The decision also drew sharp criticism from Nashik’s local leadership with BJP MLA Seema Hiray and several former corporators in Nashik openly opposing Badgujar’s induction.
“I was among those who called Badgujar anti-national. He even contested against me. There are serious criminal charges against him — how can we accept him into the party?” Hiray said.
The controversy over Badgujar’s past resurfaced again this week, including a 2023 video in which he was seen dancing with Saleem ‘Kutta’, an accused in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. The Shiv Sena (UBT) had then countered BJP’s criticism by pointing out that BJP functionaries had also attended the same event.
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Badgujar, however while addressing the induction event, claimed that he was targeted, and slammed Sena (UBT) for expelling him from the party without any reason.
“I have joined the BJP with respect and gratitude. I do not know what was conveyed to the leadership of my former party (Sena UBT), but I am innocent. I worked sincerely during COVID when many stayed home, and yet I was targeted.” He thanked CM Devendra Fadnavis and called Girish Mahajan a “troubleshooter who always finds a solution.”
He also hinted at feeling sidelined within Shiv Sena (UBT) prior to his expulsion and said he had met with Fadnavis before deciding to switch sides.
Despite the internal opposition, Bawankule tried to downplay the controversy, saying when new people join the party, there are bound to be objections, “but It is the responsibility of Badgujar and Gholap to address them and bring everyone together,” he said, adding that their entry would help boost BJP’s strength in Nashik ahead of the municipal elections.
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On questions about Badgujar’s criminal record and brief jail time, Bawankule told the media, “Even those who speak daily have been to prison. Until someone is convicted, we must not pass judgment.”
Girish Mahajan, defending the induction, said, “Last time in Nashik, we had 68 corporators. This time, we must cross 100. We are part of the Mahayuti and will work in unity to win across municipal corporations and councils.”