Speculation rife over ex-wrestler behind MVA fissure switching to Shinde Sena

Former wrestler Chandrahar Patil, whose candidature from Sangli Lok Sabha constituency on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket had become a bone of contention between the Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray-led party during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, attended a dinner hosted by a Shiv Sena minister for deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday.

- Shailesh Gaikwad

MUMBAI: This has led to speculations that he could be on his way to Shinde-led Sena, even though he clarified he had met Sena leaders to discuss sports-related issues.

Patil reportedly met Shinde at Kudal in Sindhudurg district when the latter was there for a party function on Thursday. Later he was also seen at a dinner hosted for Shinde by Uday Samant, industries minister and Shiv Sena leader.

Following this, Patil, in two social media posts, admitted that he attended the dinner as the minister was his friend since 2005.