Amid speculation about her absence at a group registration event at Konkan Bhavan on Wednesday, newly appointed Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Sarita Mhaske on Thursday denied reports that she was in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, saying she had remained with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and had left Mumbai to fulfill a religious prayer vow.
Mhaske, who was elected from Chandivali ward 157 on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket, had been unreachable for several hours on Wednesday at a time when newly elected Sena UBT corporators were being taken to Konkan Bhavan for group registration ahead of the mayoral contest.
Her absence led to speculation that she was among those being attacked by Sena, led by Shinde, to poach and increase their strength.
Rejecting the speculation, Sarita Mhaske said she had not been in touch with the Shinde-led Sena at any point of time, even though she was approached by some rival groups.
“I was neither missing nor negotiating with any other party. I had gone to Tuljapur to offer prayers after my election victory. That was a vow I had taken before the polls,* he said after meeting Uddhav Thackeray at his residence.
She further alleged that leaders of the Shiv Sena, led by Shinde, had tried to contact her during this period. “A senior leader from that side tried to contact me, but I rejected such an approach,” he said, adding that his absence by letter was used to create a false narrative about his loyalty.