Navi Mumbai BJP leader Sandeep Naik quits, joins Sharad Pawar-led party

Mumbai: In a setback to the BJP in Navi Mumbai, the party’s leader and former MLA Sandeep Naik on Tuesday joined the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), ahead of the November 20 state assembly elections.

Sandeep’s father and former minister Ganesh Naik, who has wielded a major influence in Navi Mumbai region over the years, has been re-nominated by BJP from Airoli assembly constituency.

Sandeep is likely to contest the assembly election from Belapur, where the BJP has re-nominated its sitting MLA Manda Mhatre, sources said.