In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Swikruti Sharma, the wife of former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma, officially joined the Shiv Sena on Monday. The induction took place at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Nandanvan bungalow, marking a strategic move for the party as it gears up for the elections later this year.
Pradeep Sharma, known for his role in high-profile encounters, had previously contested the 2019 Assembly elections from the Virar constituency on a ticket from the undivided Shiv Sena. His political career has been marred by controversy, particularly due to his involvement in the Mansukh Hiran murder case, which is linked to the infamous Antilia terror threat case. In 2021, gelatin sticks were found outside the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, sparking a major security scare.
The Antilia bomb scare case led to Sharma’s arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), drawing significant criticism towards the undivided Shiv Sena from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP had used Sharma’s alleged involvement to target the Shiv Sena, accusing the party of complicity in the scandal. However, after a lengthy legal battle, Pradeep Sharma was granted bail by the Supreme Court in August 2023.
Swikruti Sharma’s entry into the Shiv Sena is seen as a move to leverage her husband’s political legacy and navigate the party through the tumultuous waters of electoral politics. The timing of her joining the Shiv Sena is strategic, as the party aims to consolidate its position and counter any opposition tactics that may arise from the ongoing controversies surrounding her husband.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s decision to welcome Swikruti Sharma into the party could be an attempt to strengthen the Shiv Sena’s position and attract voters ahead of the elections. As the party prepares for the polls, Sharma’s induction is expected to generate considerable interest and potentially sway public sentiment.