The Opposition BJP suffered a jolt on Saturday, as its supporting Independent MLA Geeta Jain joined the ruling Shiv Sena.

Fifty-six-year-old Geeta, who had been elected to the Maharashtra Assembly from Mira-Bhayander constituency of Thane district, called on chief minister Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s private residence “Matoshri” and joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Uddhav, who is also Sena’s President.

Apart from Uddhav, party leader and Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray was also present on the occasion. 

During her visit to “Matoshri”, Geeta had been accompanied by Thane district guardian minister Eknath Shinde and MLA Pratap Sarnaik.

A BJP rebel, Geeta had won from the Mira Bhayander constituency in October last year by trouncing the BJP's Narendra Mehta. After her victory, Geeta had announced her support to the BJP.

An influential leader from the business community,  Geeta is a popular leader in her constituency. Geeta’s entry to the Shiv Sena came a day after a former senior BJP leader and minister Eknath Khadse joined another ruling MVA constituent in the State—NCP.    

Informed sources said that Geeta had  been in touch with the Shiv Sena leadership for the past several months and had expressed her desire to join the Sena.

Geeta is the second MLA to have joined the Shiv Sena in the recent months. Earlier, Krantikari Shetkari Paksh's MLA and State Water Conservation Minister Shankarrao Gadakh, who had won from the Nevasa assembly constituency, had joined the Shiv Sena.