Pune: Bhausaheb Bhoir, a trusted ally of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has decided to rebel against the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and contest the upcoming Chinchwad Assembly elections as an independent candidate.
Bhoir, a seasoned political figure who has served as a city corporator five times, announced his candidacy during a gathering, marking a bold step against the party he has been associated with for years.
Chinchwad has long been seen as a stronghold of Ajit Pawar, but this internal rebellion could signal a shift in the political dynamics of the region. Bhoir, while announcing his decision, didn't hold back his criticism of Ajit Pawar’s leadership, accusing him of promoting political opportunists at the expense of loyal party members.
Bhoir pointed to his past electoral defeats in the 2009 Assembly and 2014 Lok Sabha elections, which he believes were orchestrated by Pawar and the late MLA Laxman Jagtap.
"In 2009, I was given a ticket but was sidelined. The party has continuously treated me unfairly, offering me no leadership positions," Bhoir said. He also accused Pawar of turning “ordinary individuals into political giants” while sidelining loyalists.
Bhoir’s frustration has been brewing for years, as he has repeatedly been overlooked for key political positions. In his speech, he revealed that he was again denied a ticket in the Chinchwad by-elections.
"They said my name wasn't included in the survey. But I haven’t named anyone yet—if I’m criticized, I won’t spare anyone. I know many people's secrets," Bhoir warned.
The veteran politician also disclosed that he had received offers from influential people, suggesting they could spend huge sums of money to ensure his victory.
"Yesterday, someone called me and said they could spend not just ₹25 crores, but ₹50 crores if I ran," Bhoir claimed.
