Sopal's crossover will erode his credibility among people: NCP

The NCP on Wednesday termed former MLA Dilip Sopal as an "untrustworthy colleague" for crossing over to the ruling Shiv Sena and suggested that his political opportunism on the eve of the state assembly polls will erode his credibility among people.

Earlier in the day, Sopal, who had represented the NCP in the Legislative Assembly six times, joined the Uddhav Thackeray-led party in the presence of the party president.

Sopal, 69, who was elected from Barshi assembly segment in Solapur district in 2014 polls, had resigned as an MLA on Tuesday.

While Sopal has joined the Sena, his former colleagues Shivendrasinh Bhosale, Sandip Naik and Vaibhav Pichad had switched over to the ruling BJP.

Earlier, NCP MLA Pandurang Barora from Shahapur in Thane district had joined the Sena.

"You (Sopal) spent your entire life on one side (in the NCP) and at this juncture, you knocked (Shiv Sena chief) Uddhav Thackeray's door...what a trustworthy colleague you are...how come people will trust you?" asked state NCP chief Jayant Patil while addressing a rally organised in Malshiras taluka as part of his party's 'Shivswarajya Yatra'.

He expressed surprise that Sopal, who had always criticised the Sena in the House, has chosen that party to make a switchover.

Patil also targetted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his ongoing 'Mahajanadesh Yatra', saying the latter took out the mass outreach campaign because he lacked confidence in his own party, the BJP.

Patil, a former minister, also reiterated the NCP's demand to hold the forthcoming Assembly polls using ballot papers instead of the electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The NCP and other opposition parties like the Congress have been calling for reverting to ballot papers, alleging the EVMs can be tampered with.