Setback For Cong As Kamble Joins Shinde’s Shiv Sena

Yavatmal: Former Congress functionary Sahebrao Kamble, who was expelled by the party a few days ago, officially joined the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) along with many supporters. Kamble was welcomed into the Sena fold by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde at his official residence, Nandanvan, in Mumbai.Kamble, former Congress candidate from Umarkhed Assembly constituency, has been a prominent face of Congress in Yavatmal district. On the last day of filing nominations for the Yavatmal Legislative Council election, Kamble unexpectedly withdrew his candidature. The action resulted in Congress expelling him from the party. According to sources, several key Congress office-bearers and grassroots workers also switched allegiance and joined Shiv Sena along with Kamble. DyCM Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that Kamble and his supporters would work together for the development of Yavatmal district and the strengthening of the party organization. Political observers believe that Kamble's entry is likely to boost strength of the Mahayuti alliance in the district.With political equations in Yavatmal already undergoing rapid changes, Kamble's departure from the Congress is being viewed as a major setback for the party and the Mahavikas Aghadi alliance.