The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday (January 1, 2026) suffered a setback ahead of the BMC elections as its deputy leader Sheetal Devrukhkar-Sheth, who worked closely with Aaditya Thackeray on party initiatives, resigned from the organisation.
Announcing her decision to leave the Sena (UBT), Ms. Devrukhkar-Sheth said she would join the BJP shortly in the presence of its State president Ravindra Chavan. PTI has a copy of her resignation letter.
Elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be held on January 15, and votes will be counted the next day.
A senior leader in the Yuva Sena, the youth wing of Sena (UBT), Ms. Devrukhkar-Sheth was a member of its core committee and was considered one of Aaditya Thackeray’s closest associates.
She is also a member of the Mumbai University senate, the varsity's top governing body.
