NCP Split: Ajit Pawar Struggles to Prevent Exodus to Uncle’s Camp One Year Later

The recent political scene has witnessed a significant shift in Pimpri-Chinchwad, with over 20 former corporators, mayors, and unit heads switching to the camp of senior politician Sharad Pawar. This move comes after the Lok Sabha election, where the Sharad Pawar faction secured a strong performance, winning 8 out of the 10 contested seats. In contrast, the Ajit Pawar camp experienced a setback, securing only one seat and losing three.

The results of the election highlighted the strong support for the senior Pawar within the NCP, as well as the disappointment within the Ajit Pawar camp. This was further emphasized as the younger Pawar had to contest the election under the name of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) after losing the party’s name and symbol. Many leaders who switched to the senior Pawar’s camp cited local factors as a driving force behind their decision.

They pointed to dissatisfaction with the development work and rampant corruption under the BJP’s rule in the municipal corporation since 2017. This sentiment was echoed by Ajit Gavhane, a former NCP’s Pimpri-Chinchwad chief, in an interview with ANI. Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar’s daughter and a four-time Lok Sabha MP, expressed faith in her father’s ideology and highlighted the hope that people, including those in the opposition, hold for him.

She stressed that this is a key reason why people are joining her father’s camp. In response to queries about the future of his nephew within the party, Sharad Pawar emphasized that such decisions are not made at a personal level and that his colleagues who supported him during the crisis would be consulted first. The recent poll setback has significantly impacted Ajit Pawar’s position within the Eknath Shinde-led government, where he currently serves as Deputy Chief Minister.

Looking ahead, the upcoming state polls present a considerable challenge for the 64-year-old leader. Overall, the political landscape in Pimpri-Chinchwad has experienced a significant shift following the recent election results, with leaders making strategic moves based on their assessment of the prevailing political dynamics and their expectations for the future.