Setback for NCP: Party's Mumbai chief Sachin Ahir likely to join Shiv Sena, say sources

Update at 11:15 AM: Mumbai NCP chief Sachin Ahir joined Shiv Sena in presence of party chief Uddhav Thackeray and Aitya Thackeray.

In a major setback for Shard-Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra, former Minister and its Mumbai chief Sachin Ahir is in touch with Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, sources told on Thursday.

This development has come ahe of Maharashtra Assembly elections which are scheduled to take place later this year. As per sources, Sachin Ahir held a meeting of his supporters and expressed his views in taking big step soon in his political journey.

With his interest in contesting from Byculla seat, Ahir is likely to anunce his exit from NCP on Thursday. Sachin Ahir has served as Minister of State of Housing, Slum Improvement, House Repairs and Re-Construction, Urban Land Ceiling, Industries, Mines, Social Justice, De-diction Activities & Environment among or portfolios in former government in state. 

Earlier in May, senior NCP leer and former minister Jaydutt Kshirsagar h jumped ship and joined Shiv Sena. 

RE | Maharashtra Poster War: Shiv Sena Poster Claiming Next CM From Its Party Put Up In Nasik Despite Fnavis-Thackeray Understanding

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena party has been pushing for ir youth leer and Uddhav Thackeray's son Aitya for post of Chief Minister in upcoming Assembly polls. While leers of Sena's ally BJP have been vouching for next CM from saffron party, Shiv Sainiks have also put out posters declaring Aitya Thackeray as party's candidate for post.

Responding to rumours on Aitya Thackeray's contest in state assembly elections, Shiv Sena leer Sanjay Raut h said that it is upon Uddhav Thackeray to take a decision on same, however, batting for youth leer for post. 

"Uddhav Thackeray will decide wher Aitya will contest or t but Maharashtra needs a young CM like Aitya Thackeray and we believe that people of Maharashtra will accept him as ir CM," he h said. 

On or hand, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray met Congress parliamentary party leer and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janpath in Delhi on July 8, sparking speculations over an alleged alliance ahe of Assembly elections in Maharashtra.

RE | Raj Thackeray Meets Sonia Gandhi, Sparks Speculations Over Tie-up Ahe Of Maharashtra Assembly Elections