Former Maharashtra minister Baban Gholap has resigned from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), adding to the political uncertainty ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha and state legislature elections. Gholap, a longtime representative of the Nashik Road-Deolali assembly constituency, resigned in a brief letter to Thackeray, effectively ending his tenure as a 'Shiv Sainik', reported PTI. 

According to the PTI report, the action follows Gholap's resignation as Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader in September of last year, which was not recognised at the time. While he has hesitated from announcing his future political ambitions, it is reported that Gholap's decision comes from displeasure with recent developments inside the party, including his ouster as the liaison head for the Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency and the entry of former MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure into Shiv Sena (UBT) ranks.