Mumbai: In a fresh blow to the Uddhav Thackeray camp ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader Babanrao Gholap on Saturday joined Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Shinde welcomed Gholap into the party in the presence of Minister of State Dada Bhuse and Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Speaker Neela Gore.

The party's prospects in North Maharashtra may improve with Gholap, a five-time MLA from Nashik district, joining the Shinde camp.

Former MLA Sanjay Pawar also joined the Shinde-led force.