Shinde Poaches Thackeray's Victorious Mayor in Raigad; Joins Within Hours!

• Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena is set to poach Atul Chaugule, a newly elected mayor from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena in Shrivardhan, Raigad.
• Chaugule's victory was reportedly aided by Shinde Sena MLA Bharat Sheth Gogawale, who covertly supported him against Sunil Tatkare's candidate.
• Chaugule acknowledged support from both Shiv Sena factions, stating, "My victory belongs to the workers of both Shiv Sena Thackeray faction and Shiv Sena Shinde faction."
• MLA Bharat Sheth Gogawale confirmed that Chaugule is "mentally prepared" to join Shinde's party, with a final decision expected soon.
• This defection follows municipal election results where Thackeray's Sena secured only 8 mayoral positions, while BJP and Shinde Sena performed better.

Why It Matters: Eknath Shinde's faction is set to poach Atul Chaugule, a newly elected mayor from Thackeray's Sena.