In a significant political development in Pune, former city mayor and prominent leader Prashant Jagtap stepped down from his key positions within the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) on Wednesday. Jagtap resigned from his post as the city unit chief and also relinquished his primary membership of the party.
Alliance Discontent Triggers Resignation
The catalyst for this dramatic move was the growing speculation about the NCP (SP) forming a poll alliance with the Ajit Pawar-led faction, which is officially recognized as the Nationalist Congress Party. Jagtap expressed strong opposition to any such coalition, stating it would send the wrong message to party workers. He highlighted that many of his colleagues had taken a firm stand against the Ajit Pawar group and had even faced legal cases for their stance.
The resignation followed a meeting between Jagtap and NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule amid intense rumours about his impending exit. Despite his resignation, Jagtap was clear about his political future. "Though I have resigned from the party, I will not leave politics. I will contest the polls," he asserted while addressing reporters.
Party Leadership Responds
Reacting to the situation, Supriya Sule addressed the media, clarifying that no formal decision on an alliance had been made. "Some of our leaders have spoken to NCP leaders. The final call has not been taken yet," Sule stated. She also expressed the party's willingness to engage in dialogue with Jagtap, indicating the door for discussions remained open.
The core of the conflict lies in the bitter split of the undivided NCP in 2023. The faction led by Ajit Pawar aligned with the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena coalition in Maharashtra and subsequently won the legal battle to use the party's official name and symbol. Jagtap and others remained loyal to founder Sharad Pawar, whose group is now called NCP (SP) and has been contesting elections separately since the split.
Political Repercussions and Future Course
This resignation throws a spotlight on the internal challenges within the NCP (SP) as it navigates complex alliance politics ahead of crucial civic elections in Pune. Jagtap's exit, driven by principle, underscores the deep divisions that persist following the party's fragmentation. His decision to contest the polls independently sets the stage for a multi-cornered contest, potentially reshaping the local political landscape.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between pragmatic electoral alliances and ideological consistency in Maharashtra's fluid political environment. As both factions prepare for the polls, the resolution of such internal disagreements will be critical to their electoral fortunes.
