Former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane has said that he will join the ruling BJP this week.
After quitting the Congress, Narayan Rane was elected to the Rajya Sabha with the BJP's support, and had floated 'Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh'' which is part of the NDA.
"I will join the BJP on September 1 in Solapur where the party's national president Amit Shah will address a rally," Mr Rane told reporters in Mumbai.
Narayan Rane's formal entry into the BJP may cause a strain in its alliance with the Shiv Sena ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Narayan Rane started his political career with the Shiv Sena which made him Chief Minister for a brief period, before a fallout happened.
Several leaders from the opposition Congress and NCP have joined either the BJP or the Sena in the recent weeks.
According to BJP sources, NCP MLA Rana Jagjitsinh Patil and Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale would be joining the party soon.
RSS-Linked Books Mandated In Madhya Pradesh Colleges, Opposition Sees Red BJP Sweeps Panchayat Elections In Tripura Man Held For Rape Attempt In UP, BJP Claims He's Linked To Samajwadi Party Thar, Scorpio SUVs Inside Restricted Zone In Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Seized "Mamata Banerjee Misleading Public, Should Resign": Nirbhaya's Mother Siddaramaiah's Swipe At Governor Amid Calls For Resignation: 10 Points Donald Trump Says He Is "Much Better Looking" Than Rival Kamala Harris "Avoid Giving Night Duties To Women Doctors": Bengal After Kolkata Horror Kamala Harris Bets America Is Ready To Have Its 1st Black Woman President Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.