NCP’s Chhagan Bhujbal says ‘no substance’ in media reports speculating his switch to Shiv Sena ahead of Maharashtra polls

Nashik: Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Thursday refuted the media reports speculating that he may switch over to the Shiv Sena ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls. [caption id=“attachment_1811639” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. AFP[/caption] The former state deputy chief minister said there was “no substance” in such reports. “There is no substance in (media reports and social media posts)… So, it is my request to you (media) to put an end to such reports,” Bhujbal told reporters. He was speaking on the sidelines of a ‘jal pujan’ (water worship) event of a dam in Nashik. Speculations that Bhujbal may join the Shiv Sena gained momentum after NCP’s Mumbai unit chief Sachin Ahir joined the Uddhav Thackeray-led party on Thursday. Incidentally, Bhujbal was one of the key leaders of the Shiv Sena during its initial years. He quit the Shiv Sena in 1991 and joined the Congress. He later walked out of the Congress along with former Union minister Sharad Pawar when the latter formed the NCP in 1999. The state Assembly polls are due in September-October.