Pune: In a major setback to Shiv Sena UBT in Shirur, party's Pune district president Dnyaneshwar (Mauli) Aaba Katke today joined Ajit Pawar-led NCP ahead of assembly polls in the state. He joined the NCP along with his key workers in the presence of NCP National President Ajit Pawar and State President Sunil Tatkare in Mumbai. He was serving as election coordinator for Shirur assembly constituency, Member Construction Department-Pune Zilla Parishad and served as a member of Pune Zilla Parishad.

Shirur assembly constituency in Pune district is considered as one of the most important assembly constituencies in the district. The joining of Dnyaneshwar (Mauli) Aaba Katke is considered as a major setback for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena.