NCP Leaders in Pimpri-Chinchwad Join Sharad Pawar-led Faction Ahead of Maharashtra Elections
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/17th July 2024
In a significant political development ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, several leaders and corporators from the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Pimpri Chinchwad have shifted allegiance to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SCP faction. The decision was announced at Sharad Pawar’s residence in Pune on Wednesday.
Among the prominent leaders who joined the Sharad Pawar-led faction is Ajit Gavhane, the unit chief of NCP’s Pimpri-Chinchwad branch. The move follows the resignation of three senior leaders from the NCP’s local unit a day earlier, marking a notable shift in the local political landscape.
Speaking on the defections, NCP-SCP working president Supriya Sule emphasized the party’s commitment to development and Pawar’s longstanding dedication to Maharashtra’s progress over six decades. “Pawar Sahab has tirelessly worked for Maharashtra’s development both at the state and national levels. Many leaders see hope in his leadership and are joining our ideology,” she stated.
Earlier, Ajit Gavhane, expressing his intentions, mentioned, “I and my colleagues from Bhosari assembly constituency who held various positions in the party’s city unit have resigned. We will announce our next steps shortly.” Gavhane, eyeing a potential candidacy in the upcoming assembly elections from Bhosari, opted to align with the NCP (SCP) faction due to political considerations.
The dynamics in Pimpri-Chinchwad have been influenced by recent political maneuvers and local governance under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gavhane criticized the BJP’s management of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), contrasting it unfavorably with the developmental efforts of both Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar. “Since 2017, BJP’s administration in PCMC has been marred by mismanagement and corruption,” Gavhane asserted, pointing fingers at the incumbent MLA.
Regarding the resignations of other party leaders, Gavhane disclosed, “Corporators like Rahul Bhosale, Pankaj Bhalekar, and Yash Sane have also tendered their resignations along with me.”
As preparations intensify for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, political realignments and defections are expected to impact the electoral landscape significantly. The move by NCP leaders in Pimpri-Chinchwad underscores the fluidity of political alliances and the strategic calculations underway among various parties ahead of the polls.
With Ajit Gavhane and others transitioning to the NCP (SCP) faction, the electoral battle in Bhosari constituency and beyond promises to be closely watched, shaping the narrative of Maharashtra’s political future in the coming months.
