Maharashtra's political scenario has undergone hugechanges ahead of the Assembly elections, with many senior politicians switchingloyalties and migrating to rival political parties in a bid to stay in power.

Prominent among them is former MaharashtraNavnirman Sena MLA Ram Kadam, who had defeated late Pramod Mahajan's daughterPoonam Mahajan in Mumbai's Ghatkopar (West) constituency in the 2009 Assemblypolls. He has now joined the BJP, after being apparently denied a ticket by theMNS.

Kadam  is nowa BJP candidate from the Ghatkopar (West) constituency of Mumbai. VijaykumarGavit too had joined the BJP after being expelled by the NCP and is now acandidate from Nandurbar constituency. Gavit's younger brother Sharad, whodefeated Congress strongman Surupsinh Naik from Nawapur constituency as aSamajwadi Party candidate in 2009, has now joined NCP.

 The BJP hasalso taken on board Anil Bonde (independent MLA from Morshi) and Manikra Kokate(Congress MLA from Sinnar). Prakash Shendge and Sambhaji Pawar were BJP MLAsfrom Western Maharashtra. Miffed with their parties for inducting localCongress-NCP leaders into the BJP, they quit.

Shendge is now an NCP candidate, while Pawar haschosen Sena. Similarly, Rajendra Gavit a probable Sena candidate from Shahada,filed his nomination on an NCP ticket on the last day of forms submission.Former Mumbai Mayor Shubha Raul and former Thane mayor Anant Tare, bothdeserted Shiv Sena, and are now contesting on MNS and BJP tickets respectivelyagainst Sena candidates.

(CNBC)