Four prominent leaders have resigned from Ajit Pawars Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from Maharashtras Pimpri Chinchwad following a significant electoral defeat. The major blow to the party has come after a poor show in the recent Lok Sabha elections. According to the sources, all four are likely to join the party led by Sharad Pawar this week.Chief of NCPs Pimpri-Chinchwad unit Ajit Gavhane is one of the people who resigned and gave their resignation to Ajit Pawar. The others are Rahul Bhosale and Pankaj Bhalekar, two former corporators, and Yash Sane, the president of the Pimpri Chinchwad Students Wing.According to the sources, the resignations have come following rumours that some Ajit Pawar camp officials are open to joining Sharad Pawars party.Meanwhile, it is important to note that the resignations are followed by Sharad Pawars last months statement when he declared that while he would accept leaders who would not hurt the partys reputation, he would not accept anyone who wished to weaken his party. Those seeking to undermine the party would not be accepted. However, he said, Those leaders who would improve the organization and not damage the partys reputation would be accepted.Pawar splitIn 2023, a rift within the Pawar family led to its division into two political factions. Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle, Sharad Pawar, the founder of the NCP. While Sharad Pawar continued in the Opposition, Ajit Pawar aligned with the Mahayuti government under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, securing the position of deputy chief minister. Ajit Pawars party allied with the BJP-led NDA for the Lok Sabha elections but managed to win only one seat in Raigad, whereas Sharad Pawars faction secured eight seats.Notably, this development marks a substantial setback for the party, indicating internal challenges and dissatisfaction among key figures.
