Mumbai/IBNS: In an apparent setback for the grand old party, Congress veteran Ravi Raja on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, media reports said.

Raja was the former Leader of Opposition in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

He switched sides in presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar.

Raja said he was denied a ticket by the Congress in the upcoming assembly elections despite serving the country's oldest political party for 44 years.

He has sent his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Snubbing Raja, the Congress has fielded Ganesh Kumar Yadav from Sion Koliwada for the upcoming elections, which are scheduled to be held on November 20.

The results will be declared on November 23.