Pune: With the Maharashtra Assembly elections fast approaching, political alliances are shifting as leaders of both the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) intensify their preparations.

The selection of candidates is currently underway, with many former Mahayuti hopefuls now aligning themselves with the MVA following its strong showing in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

During the Ganesh festival, former BJP MLA Bapusaheb Pathare made headlines when he announced at a Ganesh mandal in the Wadgaon Sheri constituency that he would be contesting the upcoming Assembly elections under the banner of Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

He urged the public to rally support for the NCP’s symbol, the "Tutari." His announcement, captured in a viral video, triggered speculation about his formal entry into Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction.

On Anant Chaturdashi, Pathare officially joined the NCP’s Sharad Pawar faction at Pawar's Mumbai residence, Silver Oak. The event was attended by former corporators Mahendra Pathare and Bhaiyasaheb Jadhav.

Pathare’s switch from the BJP to Sharad Pawar’s faction has set the stage for his candidacy in the Wadgaon Sheri constituency in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Currently, Sunil Tingre, representing the Ajit Pawar faction, holds the Wadgaon Sheri seat. However, several contenders from the Mahayuti are eyeing the constituency, leading to speculation about whether the seat will remain with Ajit Pawar's group or be allocated to the BJP.

Pathare’s move has added to the growing political intrigue in the region, with party dynamics rapidly evolving ahead of the elections.