Mustaq Antulay joins Ajit Pawar's NCP

Even with the Lok Sabha elections underway, the Congress received a major blow in Maharashtra as its formers MLA Mushtaq Antulay on Monday joined NCP (Ajit faction) after resigning from the INC.

Antulay, who hails from Raigad district of Maharashtra, is a known minority face. He is also the son-in-law of former Maharashtra CM AR Antulay. His joining the NCP Ajit Pawar faction may increase the difficulties of Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Anant Geete in Raigad as well.

Antulay has been in politics for a long time. He has been a former board member of Punjab National Bank. With his joining the NCP, the Ajit faction is expected to become stronger.

At the same time, the departure of a big leader before the Lok Sabha elections in the constituency slated for polls it will mean a big setback for Uddhav Thackeray and the Congress in Raigadh district .