MUMBAI, Jan. 20 -- In a setback for the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), Raje Samarjeetsinh Ghatge, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, is set to rejoin the BJP, sources close to him said on Monday. Ghatge, who joined the NCP (SP) ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections in August 2024, is learnt to have decided to return to the BJP after a little over a year in the party. People close to him confirmed the development. A political rival of Maharashtra medical education minister Hasan Mushrif, Ghatge had quit the BJP after the Kagal seat went to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP under the Mahayuti alliance's seat-sharing arrangement. He then joined the NCP (SP) and contested the 2024 polls against Mushrif, but lost for a second time. He was defeated by 11,581 votes, helping Mushrif secure a sixth term as an NCP MLA from the constituency. An aide said Ghatge was unhappy with the NCP (SP)'s performance in the Assembly elections and in the ongoing local body polls, and intended to "return to the BJP fold". He has also removed the NCP (SP) election symbol from his social media handles, triggering speculation. In the BJP, Ghatge was considered close to CM Devendra Fadnavis. NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said the party had not received any communication from Ghatge. "We have no idea if Ghatge is leaving the party or not," Tapase said. Ghatge did not respond to calls or a text message....