Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s descendent from the Kolhapur seat of the erstwhile Maratha kingdom, Sambhajiraje Bhosale, has floated a front called ‘Swarajya’ that he plans to convert into a political party. The just-retired Rajya Sabha MP has also decided to contest the upcoming upper house elections as an independent candidate.

 The President had nominated Sambhajiraje to the RS in 2016 when the protest for Maratha reservation was at its peak. He led the protest and acted as a bridge between the Marathas and the BJP government. He was made chief of an empowered committee that conserved the historic Maratha forts. He supported the BJP in the upper house, but on Thursday said he was no longer associated with any party.