Pune: Sharad Pawar wins over Ajit Pawar supporters in Pimpri-Chinchwad

Pune: Deputy Chief Minister and District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar is trying to make over his image ahead of the Assembly elections. However, his supporters from Pimpri-Chinchwad, a party fortress, have deserted him and crossed over to the rival camp of the NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar.

NCP (AP) City Unit President Ajit Gavhane, along with former corporators, joined the NCP (SP). The Ghar Wapsi took place at Sharad Pawar’s residence at Modi Baug on Wednesday (July 17).

Those NCP leaders who thought Ajit Pawar would provide them an able leadership have now come back to Sharad Pawar. After the drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections, many NCP (AP) leaders are trying to come back to the NCP (SP). This is the first big lot that has shown their faith in Sharad Pawar’s leadership. Four office-bearers in Pimpri-Chinchwad resigned on Tuesday from the NCP (AP), along with 20 more, and crossed over to the rival faction.

Former corporators and office-bearers of the NCP (AP) became restive after their party did not perform well in the Lok Sabha elections. In the first week of July, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Assembly party head and former City Youth Wing president of the NCP (AP) joined the NCP (SP). Now, four more important office-bearers have left Ajit Pawar in the industrial township.

Ajit Pawar loses 15-year-old hold on twin towns

Ajit Pawar has held sway over Pimpri-Chinchwad for the past 15 years. He is known as ‘Dada’ among his followers. However, he faced the first challenge to his leadership as the late MLA Laxman Jagtap and Mahesh Landge joined the BJP in 2017. The BJP won the civic elections hands down.

However, the NCP split in July 2023 and both the factions have been trying to win over the party citadel. The Lok Sabha elections have changed the trend. Leaders from the NCP (AP) faction realised that their party has not found favours with voters. Therefore, they have now preferred to join hands with the likely winners.