Thane, Nov. 18 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dealt a major blow to the Shinde camp by inducting several former corporators considered close to MP Shrikant Shinde, the son of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. This political "Operation Lotus" comes at a crucial time ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.
Among those who joined the BJP today are Anmol Mhatre, son of senior Shiv Sena leader Vaman Mhatre, along with several former corporators from the Shinde group. The induction took place in the presence of BJP state president Ravindra Chavan. The party maintained strict secrecy around the event, and the names of those switching sides were kept confidential until the final moment.
Vaman Mhatre has a strong hold over the Kalyan-Dombivli M...