Two influential leaders and sitting corporators Shivaji Chumble and his wife Kalpana along with hundreds of their supporters from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) joined the Shiv Sena on Tuesday in the presence of Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree.

This is likely to give a vast leverage to the Shiv Sena as the new Sainiks will obviously be given tickets and may also win. The Sena will also consolidate its position in New Nashik-Cidco area as Mr Chumble, a government contractor, is a reputed strongman.

Mr Chumble was an ardent supporter of incarcerated ex-deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal and stays within a stone’s throw from Bhujbal Farm, which comes under his municipal ward.

His wife Kalpana, who too is a NCP corporator from an adjoining ward, said that over 800 activists joined the Sena along with them.