Congress Spokesperson Joins Shiv Sena, Gets Same Role in Shinde’s Party

Mumbai: In yet another setback for the Congress in Maharashtra, its spokesperson Raju Waghmare on Tuesday quit the party and joined the Shiv Sena led by chief minister Eknath Shinde. Now he will be a deputy leader and spokesperson of Shiv Sena.

Mr. Waghamare joined the Shiv Sena in an event held at ‘Anandashram’, which was residence-cum-office of late Sena leader Anand Dighe in Thane. “Today there is utter chaos in Congress. The party is in a terrible situation. I had left the United States and came to India. I joined the Congress with certain expectations and I worked very hard as long as I was in the party. I was courageously taking on the opposition parties. But some leaders in the Congress try to suppress an activist like me. It is because of such leaders that I had no choice but to change my path. A scheduled caste worker like me cannot progress and therefore I decided to quit Congress with a heavy heart,” he said.

Without taking names, Mr. Waghmare alleged that the Maharashtra Congress is divided in various factions and the established leaders do not give any importance to “karyakartas like him”. “I am not alone. There are hundreds of party workers who are feeling suffocated in the Congress. The established leaders in the party have no concern for the loyal party workers. Therefore I decided to join Mr. Shinde’s party. He takes care of his party workers,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shinde said the party will benefit from his experience. Waghmare would be a deputy leader and spokesperson of the Shiv Sena, he announced.