Pune Politics: Ex Hadapsar MLA Mahadev Babar To Join Ajit Pawar’s NCP Faction, Blow To Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena

Pune, June 24, 2025: In a major political development from Pune, former Hadapsar MLA Mahadev Babar is set to join Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday. The official induction will take place at the party’s Mumbai office in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. 

Babar’s move is expected to strengthen the NCP’s position ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, giving Ajit Pawar’s camp a boost in the city’s eastern suburbs.

Shift From Uddhav Thackeray’s Camp

Mahadev Babar, a prominent face of Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena in Pune, was reportedly miffed after being denied a ticket from Hadapsar in the recent state assembly elections. Despite grassroots support from local Shiv Sainiks, the Mahavikas Aghadi seat-sharing deal reserved the constituency for Sharad Pawar’s NCP candidate Prashant Jagtap.

Disappointed with the decision and political sidelining, Babar remained inactive during the campaign, which many believe contributed to Jagtap’s defeat. He eventually distanced himself from Shiv Sena and is now poised to embrace Ajit Pawar’s leadership. 

Impact on Pune Politics

Babar’s switch is expected to shake up local dynamics, especially in the Hadapsar region, where he holds considerable influence. A number of Shiv Sainiks and local leaders, including Nilesh Magar and Yogesh Sasane, are also likely to follow him into the NCP, further weakening the Thackeray faction in Pune’s suburban areas.

Hadapsar Constituency: A Political Battleground

Since its formation in 2008, Hadapsar has seen a three-way split of victories among Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP:

• 2009: Mahadev Babar (Shiv Sena) defeated Congress’ Chandrakant Shivarkar by 10,000 votes.
• 2014: BJP’s Yogesh Tilekar won, defeating Babar amid the Modi wave.
• 2019 & 2024: NCP’s Chetan Tupe (Ajit Pawar faction) clinched consecutive victories, defeating both Sharad Pawar’s nominee and MNS’s Sainath Babar.

Babar’s Political Journey

• 1997 & 2002: Elected as PMC corporator.
• 2009: Won Hadapsar Assembly seat on Shiv Sena ticket.
• 2014: Lost to BJP’s Yogesh Tilekar.
• 2024: Denied ticket, triggering his exit from Shiv Sena (UBT).

Shiv Sena’s Setback

Babar’s defection is seen as a major setback for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena in Pune. His decision follows intense internal conflicts and public sparring between leaders like Supriya Sule and Sushma Andhare over candidate announcements for Hadapsar.

There had been speculation of Babar joining the Shinde camp after a meeting with Eknath Shinde, but resistance from local Shinde group leaders reportedly blocked his entry.