Suresh Prabhu quits Shiv Sena, joins BJP

Shiv Sena leader Suresh Prabhu, who was sworn in as a Union Minister on Sunday, has resigned from his party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

This move comes close on the heels of the Shiv Sena leadership expressing its objection to Prabhu's inclusion in the Union Cabinet, with party supremo Uddhav Thackeray reportedly ordering the boycott of the oath-taking ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Sunday.

Following the ceremony, Prabhu went to meet former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at his residence.

Prabhu is among 21 new faces, who have joined Prime Minister Modi's Cabinet.