India, Dec. 26 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday evening inducted Mayur Shinde, a history-sheeter with multiple criminal cases, into the party, triggering a fresh political controversy in Thane. Shinde was formally inducted in the presence of BJP MLAs Sanjay Kelkar and Niranjan Davkhare, Thane BJP president Sandeep Lele, and other party office-bearers.

Shinde is accused in multiple criminal cases registered in Mumbai and Thane, including serious offences such as murder and extortion. Originally from Bhandup, he later shifted to Thane after being externed by the police. In 2023, Shinde was arrested for ordering calls to Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, threatening to kill him and his brother.

This is not Shinde's first foray in...