Shinde's Masterstroke: NCP Corporator Joins Mahayuti, Jolting Thackeray Before BMC Mayoral Polls

• Ajit Raorane, the sole NCP Sharad Pawar faction corporator in Mumbai, has switched allegiance to the Mahayuti, supporting Eknath Shinde.
• This move deals a significant blow to Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena ahead of the Mumbai mayoral election.
• Raorane's decision means both NCP factions in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation now back Eknath Shinde, increasing his strength by 4 corporators.
• Raorane cited assurances from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde regarding development funds for his ward as the reason for his switch.
• The defection diminishes the opposition's strength and complicates Thackeray's efforts to showcase unity with Congress in the mayoral election.