Nashik: With NCP Mumbai chief Sachin Ahir joining Shiv Sena on Thursday, speculations are rife of a come of more big wigs from Sharad Pawar planning to shift camps. Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal whose name is topping the list of those who can jump the ship today refuted reports that he will switch over to the Shiv Sena ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls.
The former state deputy chief minister said there was "no substance" in such reports and requested media to not air such speculations.
"There is no substance in (media reports and social media posts)...So, it is my request to you (media) to put an end to such reports," Bhujbal told reporters here.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a 'jal pujan' (water worship) event of a dam here.
Speculations that Bhujbal may join the Shiv Sena gained momentum after NCP's Mumbai unit chief Sachin Ahir joined the Uddhav Thackeray-led on Thursday.
Incidentally, Bhujbal was one of the key leaders of the Shiv Sena during its initial years.
He quit the Shiv Sena in 1991 and joined the Congress.
He later walked out of the Congress along with former Union minister Sharad Pawar when the latter formed the NCP in 1999.
The state Assembly polls are due in September-October.
(With additional information from PTI)