Shiv Sena leader Parshuram Uparkar joins Raj Thackeray-led MNS

Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Parshuram Uparkar from Sindhudurg quit the party along with his supporters and joined the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena at a rally at Khed in Ratnagiri district on Friday. Uparkar, whose MLC term ended in July 2012, had met Raj Thackeray yesterday and told reporters later that the MNS chief had invited him to join the party.

Uparkar's exit is a significant development for the Shiv Sena in the wake of the demise of party supremo Bal Thackeray in November 2012 and his son Uddhav Thackeray assuming the responsibility as party president. Uparkar said he had met Uddhav Thackeray on January 29 and explained how efforts were made to destroy him politically in Sindhurdurg district by Uddhav's close associates like Vinayak Raut and others.

"When Narayan Rane left the Shiv Sena, I stood against him in the district. But in the last two years, systematic efforts have been made to destroy me politically. Despite putting across my grievances to Uddhavji, nothing happened," Uparkar had said. Uparkar is also said to be miffed after being denied renomination to the state legislative council and sidelined in the Shiv Sena.

Uparkar\'s exit is a significant development for the Shiv Sena in the wake of the demise of party supremo Bal Thackeray in November 2012.

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