Date:06/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/06/stories/2005100618271100.htm

National

Shiv Sena leader joins NCP

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: After losing Narayan Rane to the Congress, the Shiv Sena suffered another blow with the former Rajya Sabha MP and veteran leader, Satish Pradhan, joining the Nationalist Congress Party on Wednesday.

Mr. Pradhan, former Thane Mayor, is the vice-president of the Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA). Sharad Pawar, NCP chief, is MOA president.

After announcing Mr. Pradhan's entry into the NCP at a press conference, State party chief Arun Gujarathi asked Public Works Minister Chhagan Bhujbal to welcome his former colleague into the party.

Mr. Pradhan parried questions about his reasons for quitting the Sena. He said he had great respect for Sena chief Bal Thackeray but the party was different from what it was 39 years ago when he joined it.

Welcoming him, Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil said, "Mr. Pradhan is a clean leader and has never faced criminal or corruption charges." Several other Sena leaders contacted him expressing their desire to join the NCP.