Veteran Mumbai Congress leader and five-time city councilor Ravi Raja joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), weeks ahead of the November 20 assembly elections in Maharashtra. His resignation from Congress ended his 44-year-old relationship with the grand old party.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar welcomed Mr Raja into the party.
Without disclosing names, Mr Fadnavis said several prominent Congress leaders would join the BJP along with Mr Raja. “People are confident that the Mahayuti government will make a comeback,” he said.