Independent MLA from Barshi in Solapur district, Rajendra Raut has joined Shiv Sena. He joined Shiv Sena on Sunday evening (October 27) in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In the last elections, Rajendra Raut wanted a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, but when he did not get it, he rebelled and contested as an independent and defeated Shiv Sena candidate, Dilip Sopal from Barshi headquarters of Solapur district.

Elections to the National Assembly, covering 288 seats, will take place on November 20 and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.