Pichad father-son duo meets Sharad Pawar, may leave BJP

Mumbai: Many leaders are likely to change parties in the backdrop of the impending State Assembly elections. Samarjitsinh Ghatge, a BJP leader from Kagal, left the BJP and joined the NCP (SP). Now, many disgruntled BJP leaders are ready to leave the party.

Among them is the Pichad father-son duo, who met NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar at his Silver Oak residence in Mumbai. It is said that Madhukar Pichad and Vaibhav Pichad may join the NCP (SP) soon.

The Akole Assembly constituency, which is Pichad’s home turf, is likely to go to the NCP (AP) in the Maha Yuti. Therefore, the Pichads are searching for an option. The father-son duo met the senior politician for half an hour. This led to discussions that they would join the NCP again.

Madhukar Pichad was earlier in the NCP and was entrusted with the responsibility as its State President. However, he entered the BJP before the 2019 elections. The Akole segment will mostly be allotted to the NCP (SP) in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), where the Pichads have an opportunity.

During the last visit of Sharad Pawar to Akole, it was said that the Pichads would meet Pawar. But it did not happen. They met him at his residence this time. Vaibhav Pichad is an aspirant from the Akole Assembly segment. NCP (AP) leader Kiran Lahamate is the sitting MLA from Akole.

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) State President Jayant Patil has said that a prominent leader met him and expressed his willingness to join the NCP (SP). He told Patil that his followers were advising him to join the NCP (SP), failing which he could be defeated. Patil said that many workers and leaders are of the opinion that they would win if they join the NCP (SP), which is Sharad Pawar’s strength.