Pune: Former MLA and BJP leader Bapusaheb Pathare who joined the NCP (SP) in the presence of party president Sharad Pawar in Mumbai has come as a shot in the arm for the party.

This move sets the stage for a highly anticipated electoral battle in Pune’s Vadgaon Sheri, where Pathare is set to challenge sitting MLA Sunil Tingre from the NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction, sources said.

Pathare joined the party along with his son Surendra Pathare, former corporator Mahadev Pathare, Mahendra Pathare and Bhaiyasaheb Jadhav. Pathare was elected as the MLA for Vadgaon Sheri in 2009 on an NCP ticket, before which he served as the first corporator of Kharadi and member of the district council of Pune. He was also chairperson of the Pune Municipal Corporation. He joined the BJP in 2019.

Chronological Events:

- 30 March - Three-time MLA Amar Kale joins NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) from the Congress and wins the Lok Sabha seat from Wardha.

- 18 April - Bhushansiha Raje Holkar, a descendant of Ahilyabai Holkar and former Vice President of the BJP’s OBC Morcha, joins NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

- 30 April - Former Maharashtra Minister Suresh Navale resigns from Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), accuses the Chief Minister of bowing to BJP pressure, and supports NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidate Bajrang Sonawane in Beed, who wins the seat.

- 25 June - Former Union Minister from Nanded Suryakanta Patil joins NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) from the BJP.

- 11 July - Former BJP MLA from Udgir, Sudhakar Bhalerao, joins NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) in Mumbai.

- 17 July - Ajit Gavhane and 28 members from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), including the Pimpri-Chinchwad unit’s city president, switch allegiance to the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

- 20 July - Former Maharashtra Home Minister Madhavrao Kinhalkar leaves BJP to join NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) in Nanded.

- 7 August - Pravin Mane joins NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) in Indapur, part of the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency.

- 2 September - NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) MLC Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, former chairman of the legislative council, warns the ruling BJP to control its former MP Ranjeetsinh Naik Nimbalkar and his colleagues, threatening to join the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).