Major setback for Ajit Pawar as several senior leaders leave NCP and rejoin Sharad Pawar’s party
Major setback for Ajit Pawar as several senior leaders leave NCP and rejoin Sharad Pawar's party
In a significant blow to Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), several key leaders from Pimpri-Chinchwad, including local chief Ajit Gavhane, have joined the faction led by Sharad Pawar in Pune. Ajit Gavhane, who resigned from his position and submitted his resignation to party president Sunil Tatkare, was joined by former corporators Rahul Bhosale and Pankaj Bhalekar. Gavhane cited differences in the development work carried out by the BJP in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation compared to efforts by Ajit and Sharad Pawar.
The defections come as a major setback to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, especially as the Maharashtra Assembly polls approach. The resignations were submitted following the NCP’s poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where the Ajit Pawar faction won just one seat (Raigad) while the Sharad Pawar faction secured eight seats.
Ajit Gavhane, Pimpri-Chinchwad students’ wing chief Yash Sane, and former corporators Bhosale and Bhalekar have all resigned. Sources suggest that Gavhane’s resignation was influenced by his unsuccessful bid to secure a ticket for the Bhosari Assembly seat, currently held by BJP MLA Mahesh Landge for two terms. Pimpri-Chinchwad has traditionally been an NCP stronghold.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance’s impressive performance in the Lok Sabha elections, winning 30 out of 48 seats, has heightened tensions within the NCP. Speculation is rife that more leaders from the Ajit Pawar camp may return to Sharad Pawar’s faction. Earlier this month, Sharad Pawar claimed that some MLAs from the breakaway NCP faction had met with senior leader Jayant Patil.
Adding to the turmoil, there are rumors that Maharashtra minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal might leave Ajit Pawar’s camp. Last month, a senior leader from the Shiv Sena (UBT), part of the MVA, met with Bhujbal. Reports indicate that Bhujbal was upset with Ajit Pawar for nominating his wife Sunetra to the Rajya Sabha following her defeat in the Baramati Lok Sabha election to Supriya Sule. Bhujbal, an influential OBC leader, was aiming for the Rajya Sabha seat and a potential Union Ministry position.
The ongoing defections and internal strife within the NCP are likely to impact the party’s strategy and performance in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.
