Pimpri: Shiv Sena leader and Marathi actor Dr Amol Kolhe’s entry into the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has changed the political equations for the forthcoming Lok Sabha seat election in Shirur.

The actor-turned-politician is likely to contest from Shirur and pose a tough challenge to the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance’s Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil in his stronghold. The actor joined the NCP in the presence of senior party leaders in Mumbai on Friday.

Shiv Sena’s Adhalrao Patil has been elected to Parliament for the past three consecutive terms. NCP’s former MLA Vilas Lande is a strong contender for the party’s nomination for Shirur Parliamentary seat.

Kolhe’s entry into the NCP has, however, caused speculation that the actor may be fielded for the Shirur seat to unseat the sitting MP.

Kolhe is popular due to his roles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj in television serials. He hails from Narayangaon in Shirur constituency and holds an MBBS degree.

Kolhe has been a star campaigner for the Shiv Sena in Pune district. He had offered his resignation as a liaison officer of the Shiv Sena when the party performed poorly in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation elections two years back.