Mumbai: After former chief minister and Congress leader Narayan Rane’s support to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader from Marathwada and former minister Jaydatta Kshirsagar is also on the way to join the BJP.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Kshirsagar at his Beed residence on Friday. The meeting indicates that there is something happening behind the curtains. Though Fadnavis and Kshirsagar are denying the possibility.

Minister and CM’s close aid Girish Mahajan and Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde were present for the meeting at Beed.

After this development, the BJP in Maharashtra could soon see an influx of top-flight leaders from the opposition.  

Sharad Pawar’s NCP may be the most affected, as at least four of its key leaders from various parts of the State are reportedly in talks with the BJP.

Though the leader has denied any such possibility, the differences with the State leadership of their parties and uncertain prospects in the 2019 assembly elections seem to be reasons behind his plans to hop on to the BJP bandwagon.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik rubbished the reports, saying, “The rumours about these leaders quitting the NCP party have been there for quite some time, but there is no substance in them.”

Kshirsagar, Beed MLA, who belongs to the Teli community, has close ties with many BJP leaders including Power Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and BJP’s Wardha MP Ramdas Tadas, as they belong to the same community. Although it would be difficult for Kshirsagar to get elected from Beed constituency in the current circumstances.