In a significant political development in Maharashtra, the city unit chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) and former Pune mayor, Prashant Jagtap, stated on Tuesday that he will publicly announce his decision regarding leaving the party on Wednesday. This comes amid intense speculation about his discontent over a potential electoral alliance in Pune.
Discontent Over Proposed Alliance with Rival NCP
Jagtap's announcement follows his crucial meeting in Mumbai with the party's working president, Supriya Sule. The core issue fueling this potential exit is the reported discussions within NCP(SP) leadership about forming an alliance with the rival NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections.
Expressing strong opposition to any such tie-up, Jagtap argued that it would betray the party's grassroots workers. "Many party workers took a stand against NCP and faced legal cases for it," he claimed. "What message will these workers get if we compromise on our stand now? People will look down upon us if we join hands with NCP." His stance highlights the deep rift and ongoing bitterness following the split in the undivided NCP.
Final Decision Awaits Wednesday's Conference Call
Jagtap clarified that while he presented his arguments and supporting documents to the top leadership in Mumbai on Tuesday, a final decision is pending. "A conference call with senior leaders, including our working president (Sule), is scheduled for Wednesday. After that, I will declare my decision," he stated.
He confirmed that his concerns about the alliance were heard during the Tuesday meeting. However, with some points still requiring discussion, the Wednesday conference call was planned. Following this high-level discussion, Jagtap intends to communicate with his supporters and followers in Pune before making a formal public announcement on the same day.
Background of the NCP Split and Current Tensions
The political context of this crisis traces back to 2023, when the Nationalist Congress Party founded by Sharad Pawar split. The faction led by Ajit Pawar not only allied with the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra but also secured the official party symbol and the 'NCP' name following a ruling by the Election Commission of India.
Jagtap and his loyalists remained with Sharad Pawar, whose faction is now called NCP(SP). Since the split, the two groups have been direct competitors in various elections and on social issues across the state. The prospect of an alliance in Pune, therefore, represents a major ideological and strategic shift that is causing internal upheaval.
The outcome of Wednesday's decision is keenly awaited, as it could trigger further realignments in Pune's political landscape ahead of the crucial civic polls.
