India, June 30 -- In a setback for Shiv Sena (UBT), former MLA Sachin Ahir on Tuesday joined the faction led by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.

Ahir, a former MLA from Worli and a close confidante of Aaditya Thackeray, also filed his nomination for the post of deputy chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

Confirming the development, Shrikant Shinde said Ahir had formally joined the Shiv Sena and was handed the nomination form for the deputy chairman's election.

Ahir began his political career with the Indian National Congress before moving to the Nationalist Congress Party. He later joined the undivided Shiv Sena after Aaditya Thackeray entered electoral politics from Worli, a move seen as helping the young l...