Pune: In a significant political development, Nana Mahale, leader of Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Nashik, along with 100 supporters, joined Sharad Pawar’s NCP in Baramati today. This move is considered a major setback for Ajit Pawar.

Nana Mahale, who was the city president of the NCP in Nashik under Ajit Pawar's leadership, made the switch in the presence of Sharad Pawar. Former MLA Nitin Bhosale confirmed the news, mentioning that several office bearers from Nashik accompanied Mahale to Govind Baug this morning, where they met Sharad Pawar and joined his faction of the NCP.

This shift comes after the recent Lok Sabha elections in Nashik, where Bhaskar Bhagre of Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction from Dindori defeated former Union Minister Bharati Pawar by a large margin.

The success of Sharad Pawar’s faction in the recent elections, coupled with the support from Uddhav Thackeray, indicates potential large-scale party switching ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Nashik NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) Vice President Nana Mahale, along with 100 office bearers, joined Sharad Pawar’s NCP in Baramati. During the event, Mahale criticized Chhagan Bhujbal, saying he feels suffocated in the Mahayuti alliance.

Mahale also expressed confidence in securing 10 to 12 seats from Nashik for Sharad Pawar’s faction in the upcoming Assembly elections, asserting that they are sure to win those seats.