Nitesh Rane talks on BJP vs Shiv Sena in Kankavali | Maharashtra Polls 2019

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presided over the Bharatiya Janata Party's long-awaited "merger" with former Chief Minister Narayan Rane's Maharashtra Swabhiman Party, here on Tuesday.

Rane and his two sons -- BJP candidate from Kankavali Nitesh and former Congress MP Nilesh -- formally joined the ruling party, as the Shiv Sena was left fuming. 

A massive tug-of-war was witnessed between the two allies over the past few days with the Ranes proclaiming Fadnavis would come to campaign in Kankavali, and the Sena's ministers including Desai dismissing it.

"All eyes were on this (merger) for a long time... It has finally happened today. There is hardly any competition here... The BJP will benefit hugely with the Ranes... entry to the party," Fadnavis said, cocking a snook at the Sena which has given a ticket to Satish Sawant and vowed to teach Nitesh Rane a "lesson".