Maha Congress spokesperson Raju Waghmare joins Shiv Sena (Shinde)

Mumbai, Apr 9 In yet another major jolt to the Congress party in the State just days before Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Raju Waghmare resigned from the party and joined Shiv Sena (Shinde) on Tuesday in presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Speaking on occasion, he said, "I have decided to leave the party due to current turmoil in the Congress party and the dirty politics of some of its leaders.

"The question is whether the Congress is working under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray. Sanjay Nirupam had asked for the North-West seat, but he was expelled from the party under pressure. Sadly, Congress workers have to shed blood to tell them that the seat is ours," he said.

"NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar directly announced the Bhiwandi seat. This has affected workers like me. Congress workers do not know the future," Waghmare rued.

"I am joining the party today to show them the direction. The Chief Minister has done a great job in last two years. He is a common man CM. He is one of the most accomplished Chief Ministers in the history of India...," he added.