Speculations are rife that estranged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Eknath Khadse, will dump the saffron outfit during the auspicious period of Navratri and join the state's ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). But the BJP is hopeful of retaining the leader who has been loyal to it through thick and thin.

Many supporters of Khadse, who has been associated with the BJP (and erstwhile Jan Sangh) for several decades, said that they have made up their mind to join the NCP following indications that their leader too would defect. Khadse wasn't available for comment.