India, June 5 -- Ahead of the local body polls, the defection from the Shiv Sena (UBT) is continuing apace. On Wednesday, two key leaders exited the party: Nashik leader Sudhakar Badgujar who was expelled by Uddhav Thackeray, and Chandrahar Patil, who is set to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Significantly, Thackeray had risked the alliance with the Congress during the Lok Sabha polls to ensure that Patil was the MVA candidate from Sangli.

Badgujar was expelled on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after he began showing signs of rebellion. The announcement of his expulsion was dramatic, made in a press conference by district chief D G Suryawanshi after Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called the party leaders addressing the press conference a...