Pune: A political rift has emerged within the Mahayuti alliance as Bapu Bhegde, a prominent leader from the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), announced his decision to contest the upcoming Assembly elections as an independent candidate from the Maval assembly constituency.

This decision came after the NCP declared sitting MLA Sunil Shelke as its candidate, sidelining Bapu Bhegde, who subsequently resigned from his position as state vice president of the party.

In a significant development, former BJP Minister of State Bala Bhegde, along with other BJP office-bearers in Maval, resigned from their positions and declared their support for Bapu Bhegde.

Speaking at a press conference, Bala Bhegde expressed his discontent with the treatment of BJP workers, stating, "For the past five years, there has been an effort to eliminate loyal workers from the political arena. Despite my long-standing association with the party, we have been marginalized."

Bala Bhegde further added, "Though the BJP gave me three opportunities to serve as an MLA and a minister, I have made this difficult decision to protect the interests of the party workers in Maval.

With regret, I would apologize to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, but we will now support Bapu Bhegde in his independent bid."

This development has triggered a rebellion within the Mahayuti alliance in Maval. Bapu Bhegde, a long-time member of the NCP, expressed his disappointment at not being granted the party's ticket for the Maval seat.

Instead, the candidacy was given to Sunil Shelke, which led Bhegde to resign and contest as an independent. His decision sets the stage for a direct electoral battle between Shelke and Bapu Bhegde in the Maval Assembly constituency.