The Pimpri-Chinchwad unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, is facing internal unrest as several senior former corporators, dissatisfied with the current political landscape, have begun considering defection.
Leading this faction is former Bhosari MLA Vilas Lande, who, along with former corporators Moreshwar Bhondve, Prashant Shitole, Mayur Kalate, and Vinod Nadhe, met senior leader Sharad Pawar in Pune on Monday (September 30) to discuss the future of the Chinchwad constituency.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of growing speculation about a possible split in the NCP's city unit. The unrest stems from the fact that the Mahayuti alliance (BJP-Shiv Sena coalition) has reportedly decided to allot seats based on the sitting MLA’s party affiliation.
In constituencies like Bhosari and Chinchwad, where BJP holds the seats, NCP leaders and former corporators are feeling sidelined.
This discontent has already led to a wave of resignations in Bhosari, where former NCP city president Ajit Gawhane and 20 former corporators recently joined Sharad Pawar's faction of the NCP.
Former MLA Vilas Lande, who has been continuously meeting with Sharad Pawar after being denied the Lok Sabha ticket from Shirur, remains at the center of this brewing crisis.
Meanwhile, in Chinchwad, four former NCP corporators—Bhondwe, Shitole, Kalate, and Nadhe—have signaled a possible rebellion if the Chinchwad Assembly seat is not allocated to the NCP under the Mahayuti alliance. They have made it clear that they will not support the BJP in this scenario.
Despite their stance being communicated to the party leadership four days ago, there has been no official response. Frustrated by this silence, these corporators, along with Lande, took the initiative to meet Sharad Pawar directly.
During their discussion, the group explained the political situation in Chinchwad and assured Pawar that they would back whoever is nominated as the NCP candidate.
Additionally, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ravi Landge, who has expressed interest in contesting the Bhosari Assembly elections, also met with Sharad Pawar.
Adding to the political intrigue, former NCP corporator Bhousaheb Bhoir, who has expressed a strong interest in contesting the Chinchwad Assembly elections, has organized a rally on October 2. During the event, he is expected to clarify his future plans.
There is speculation that Bhoir may contest the election as an independent candidate if the party does not grant him a ticket.