MUMBAI: In a major setback to the NCP, its Mumbai unit chief and former Maharashtra minister Sachin Ahir joined the

in Mumbai on Thursday in the presence of party president Uddhav Thackeray.

constituency who lost the seat against Shiv Sena's candidate Sunil Shinde in 2014 polls.

He was welcomed into the Sena by party president Uddhav Thackeray and Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray. A Sena functionary said that party chief Uddhav Thackeray called Shinde to take him into the confidence before inducting Ahir.

Ahir, who was a minister in the previous Congress-NCP coalition government in the state, was associated with the Sharad Pawar-led party since its formation in 1999.

He represented Shivdi assembly seat in Mumbai from 1999 to 2009 and was later elected from Worli, after delimitation of constituencies.

Ahir said a decision on whether he will contest the forthcoming state assembly poll from Worli will be taken soon. The state polls are due in September-October.

(Inputs from PTI)