In a big blow to Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra's Pimpri Chinchwad, four top leaders resigned from the party. These are likely to join the faction led by Sharad Pawar later this week.
The leaders who left the party include Pimpri-Chinchwad unit chief Ajit Gavahane, Pimpri student wing chief Yash Sane and former corporators Rahul Bhosale and Pankaj Bhalekar.
“I have quit the NCP… I have submitted my resignation to my party president,” Gavahane told The Indian Express.
Their resignation comes right after the Ajit Pawar-led NCP’s debacle in the Lok Sabha elections. There has been much speculation about some leaders in this camp willing to return to the Sharad Pawar faction.
“I have quit the NCP… I have submitted my resignation to my party president,” Gavahane told The Indian Express.
Gavahane said besides them, there are several NCP office-bearers, former corporators and leaders who are planning to quit the NCP. “They are all supporting me,” he said.
Sharad Pawar had recently said those who wanted to "weaken" his party would not be taken in, but he would accept leaders who would not "hurt" the image of the party.
In 2023, Ajit Pawar led a rebellion against his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar splitting the party into two. In the recently held Lok Sabha polls, Ajit Pawar's party could win just one seat while his uncle's party bagged eight.
"Those who wanted to weaken the party would not be taken in. But those leaders who would help strengthen the organization and not hurt the image of the party would be taken in," he had said.
According to Indian Express, Gavahane said he will hold a press conference on Wednesday to announce the reason behind his decision to quit. However, he refused to comment on whether he will be returning to the Sharad Pawar fold. “You will know which party I am joining… I won’t reveal anything today,” he said.
According to reports, Gavahane resigned after all his efforts to contest from the Bhosari Assembly seat for the NCP failed. He had reportedly also met Ajit Pawar a few days ago and told him as to why the party should contest the Bhosari Assembly seat, which has been won by BJP’s Mahesh Landge twice.
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