Palghar: In a major political jolt to the Uddhav Thackeray faction ahead of the upcoming municipal elections, former group leader Kailash Mhatre and four sitting corporators from the Palghar Municipal Council have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mhatre, a long-time loyalist and key leader of the Thackeray camp in Palghar, was known for his strong grassroots influence in the region. However, growing dissatisfaction within the party and internal family pressures are said to have pushed him towards the BJP.

According to political observers, the defection has created a significant vacuum for the Thackeray group in Palghar, where Mhatre had played a crucial role in consolidating support for several years.

Along with Mhatre, former corporators Akshay Sankhe, Dinesh Babar, Hindvi Pat

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