Major Setback for Ajit Pawar: Four Top Leaders Resign
17.07.2024: In a significant blow to Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, four key leaders from Maharashtra’s Pimpri Chinchwad have resigned. This comes after the party’s disappointing performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The leaders are expected to join Sharad Pawar’s camp later this week.
Key Resignations
The resigning leaders include:
- Ajit Gavhane: Chief of NCP’s Pimpri-Chinchwad unit
- Yash Sane: Chief of Pimpri Chinchwad Students’ Wing
- Rahul Bhosale: Former corporator
- Pankaj Bhalekar: Former corporator
These resignations have sparked speculation that more leaders from Ajit Pawar’s camp might return to the fold led by his uncle, Sharad Pawar.
Sharad Pawar’s Stance
Sharad Pawar has indicated a selective approach towards accepting defectors. He stated, “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.”
Background
The Pawar family experienced a political split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar rebelled against Sharad Pawar. Ajit joined the Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and secured the position of Deputy Chief Minister.
Election Performance
In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Ajit Pawar’s party, aligned with the BJP-led NDA, managed to win only one seat, Raigad. In contrast, Sharad Pawar’s faction secured eight seats, highlighting a stark difference in electoral success.
Looking Ahead
The resignations and potential shift of leaders back to Sharad Pawar’s camp indicate ongoing turbulence within the NCP. This development could significantly impact the party’s future dynamics and political strategies.