Tejas Navale

Pune: As the state assembly elections draw near, leaders and activists from various political parties have begun flip-flopping across party lines. However, this political realignment could escalate tensions for Ajit Pawar in Pimpri-Chinchwad city, as there are rumours circulating in political circles about 16 corporators, including city president Ajit Gavhane from the NCP-Ajit Pawar faction, shifting their allegiance to Sharad Pawar.

It is learned that these corporators have met Sharad Pawar at his residence in Modi Baug. Furthermore, it is also learned that the former MLA of Bhosari Assembly Constituency, Vilas Lande, is expected to meet Sharad Pawar today. Therefore, it is said to be one of the biggest setbacks to the Ajit Pawar faction in the industrial city, which has long been considered a bastion of Ajit Pawar apart from Baramati.

In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, Sharad Pawar maintained his charisma, winning eight out of the ten seats contested. On the other side, Ajit Pawar, who parted his ties with uncle Sharad Pawar and aligned with the BJP and Shiv Sena-Shinde group, managed to win only a single seat in the Raigad. This has raised apprehensions among various leaders who have supported Ajit Pawar after his decision.

Pimpri-Chinchwad was considered a stronghold of the NCP, especially Ajit Pawar, who had single handedly maintained his power in the municipal corporation until 2017. In the municipal elections of 2017, the BJP, under the leadership of late MLA Laxman Jagtap, outwitted the NCP and particularly Ajit Pawar, winning a significant 77 seats out of a total of 128 seats.

After that, Ajit Pawar attempted to solidify his influence in the city in the 2019 Lok Sabha election by nominating his son, Parth Pawar, to contest from the Maval Lok Sabha constituency, which encompassed much of the PCMC area. However, this endeavour also proved unsuccessful, as Parth Pawar lost by a 2.15 lakh margin. Furthermore, his supporter Nana Kate also faced a defeat in the by-election of the Chinchwad assembly constituency in 2023.