Pune, Dec. 21 -- In yet another setback to the Congress following the recent defections of leaders, senior party leader and former corporator Mukhtar Shaikh on Sunday joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar, further strengthening the NDA camp ahead of the upcoming civic elections.

Mukhtar Shaikh joined the NCP along with his son Wiqar Ahmed Mukhtar Shaikh, who is also a probable candidate for upcoming civic poll. Shaikh had earlier served as Vice President of the Pune City Congress and was considered a prominent minority face of the party in the city.

The Pune Municipal Corporation elections are set to take place on January 15, and counting will happen on January 16, along with multiple other civic body polls.

Sha...