Mumbai: The NCP has suffered a major setback in Maharashtra ahead of the assembly elections. NCP leader and former minister Sachin Ahir has joined the Shiv Sena. Ahir joined the party in the presence of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray. Ahir was the Mumbai chief of the NCP. Ahir has taken over as cabinet minister in Maharashtra's Congress-NCP coalition government. With his leaving the NCP and going to the Shiv Sena, the situation in the Opposition has once again deteriorated.

The Shiv Sena's move will strengthen the party in areas like Worli in Mumbai. Here they have a strong base. However, Shiv Sena workers may find it difficult to adopt him as he has seen him as his rival for decades. Ahir Worli has been an MLA from the Assembly constituency. He was defeated by Shiv Sena candidate Sunil Shinde from this seat during the 2014 assembly elections.

On contesting the upcoming assembly elections from Worli, he said the party will take a decision soon. Maharashtra may go to polls in the month of September-October. According to sources, several other senior NCP leaders are holding talks with Shiv Sena leaders. That includes Chhagan Bhujbal. Chhagan was the Shiv Sena leader for the first 25 years. However, he later joined the NCP again in the Congress. He has taken over as Deputy Chief Minister in the Congress-NCP government.

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