NCP leader meets Uddhav Thackeray, talk of defection ensues

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra Cabinet minister Jaydutt Kshirsagar has met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s residence Matoshree. Mr Kshirsagar said that it was a courtesy visit by him to wish “Uddhav Thackeray ji happy new year”. However, sources indicated that the NCP legislator is now considering joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or Shiv Sena.

Before the Assembly elections, he will decide his next course of action. In the political circles, there are whispers that he may join the Sena, which would be a big blow to the NCP in Beed district.

Jaydutt Kshirsagar and Bharatbhushan Kshirsagar, president of Beed Zila Parishad, held a secret meeting with the Sena chief.

Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray and party secretary Milind Narvekar also attended the meeting.  

Mr Kshirsagar told The Asian Age, “I have come to Mumbai for a personal programme. While on the way to the Mumbai Airport, I called on Matoshree to wish Mr Thackeray and his family. Nothing much needed to be read in this courtesy call.”  However, sources close to him said that he is free to take a call on joining any political party (before the Assembly election).

Mr Kshirsagar is upset with the NCP leadership for ignoring him and giving more importance to his local rival Dhananjay Munde in Beed. Last Friday, the sitting NCP Beed legislator announced support to BJP-Shiv Sena alliance candidate Dr Pritam Munde in Beed.

He had said that he had decided to campaign for the alliance’s candidate in the district. The NCP legislator urged the people to cast their votes in favour of Dr Munde.

Earlier, he had also alleged that his party had been ignoring him and those who have not been elected by the masses like Dhananjay Munde have been entrusted with the command of the party in the district.