Pune: The political landscape within Ajit Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is reportedly under strain. Multiple corporators and officials from Ajit Pawar’s group are said to be in contact with the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP.
Recent reports indicate that some corporators from this faction have already met with Sharad Pawar, sparking rumors that he might be strategizing to weaken Ajit Pawar’s stronghold in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.
Adding to the speculation, reports from sources suggest that ex-MLA Vilas Lande (Ajit Pawar faction) from Bhosari is also in communication with Sharad Pawar. This development prompted a response from Pimpri MLA Anna Bansode, a close associate of Lande.
In an interview with a Marathi news channel, Bansode addressed these concerns, clarifying his stance. When asked about Lande’s purported meeting with leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction and whether he has had any discussions with Lande about the current political situation, Bansode stated, "Vilas Lande is a very good colleague. We have worked together as Assembly members for many years, and we stay in regular contact. However, we have not discussed any such matters."
When questioned about the possibility of Lande joining the Sharad Pawar faction, Bansode mentioned, "I have seen such reports in the media recently. It is true that Lande and some of our corporators met with Sharad Pawar. However, to my knowledge, after meeting with Sharad Pawar, Vilas Lande also met with Ajit Pawar. Following their discussion, it appears that Lande has decided to remain with the Ajit Pawar faction."
Further fueling the speculation, former Bhosari MLA Vilas Lande is rumored to be considering a switch to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP due to his dissatisfaction with the party’s decision to officially nominate former Shiv Sena MP Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil from the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency.
Additionally, claims have surfaced that leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction are actively engaging with corporators and officials from the Ajit Pawar faction in Bhosari, Pimpri, and Chinchwad to bring them into their fold.