Heavy blow for Congress; senior leader leaves party, joins BJP weeks ahead of Assembly polls

MUMBAI: The Congress leadership in Maharashtra suffered a heavy blow as senior party leader Ravi Raja left the party and joined the BJP, just weeks ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Raja received the BJP membership at a function attended by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the party's Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar.

Raja, a five-time winner from the Mumbai Corporation, was furious over the denial of the ticket from the Sion Koliwada Assembly seat. He was also perturbed as the Congress party "did not recognise and appreciate his work and contribution to its growth in the Mumbai city".

Speaking at the function, Fadnavis said that many senior Congress leaders will follow Raja and join the BJP very soon.

"Raja is like an encyclopedia for Mumbai's issues; he's our old friend. The decision of Raja and his supporters to join BJP will strengthen the party's prospects ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections," said Ashish Shelar.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held on November 20. The filing of nomination papers for the elections has been completed. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, a total of 10,905 nomination papers were received, representing 7,995 candidates across 288 constituencies. Candidates can withdraw the nomination papers till November 4. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.