Lok Sabha elections 2019: Shiv Sena appoints former Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi as deputy leader

Priyanka Chaturvedi would join 18 other Sena leaders who are deputy leaders in the party’s hierarchy. Apart from her, there are two other women deputy leaders—Neelam Gorhe and former Mumbai mayor Vishakha Raut—in Sena.

The Shiv Sena appointed former Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi as its “upneta” or deputy leader. Chaturvedi recently joined the Uddhav Thackeray-led party from the Congress.

The Shiv Sena appointed former Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi as its “upneta” or deputy leader. (PTI Photo)

Chaturvedi would join 18 other Sena leaders who are deputy leaders in the party’s hierarchy. Apart from her, there are two other women deputy leaders—Neelam Gorhe and former Mumbai mayor Vishakha Raut—in Sena.

Party insiders said that the leadership has not decided a specific role for Chaturvedi yet, but after elections, a decision will be taken on her responsibilities. After being appointed the deputy leader, Chaturvedi thanked Thackeray for giving her an “organisational role and responsibility”.

Chaturvedi said that she is looking forward to contribute to the party. “My role has not been decided yet, but once the elections are over in Maharashtra, we will sit and chalk it out. I think it would be related to growing the organisation and related to communication,” Chaturvedi said.

The former Congress spokesperson quit the party as she felt let down by the party’s leadership. Chaturvedi joined the Sena on 19 April over the Congress reinstating some workers who had allegedly misbehaved with her.