Big jolt to Ajith Pawar: NCP leaders jump ship, join Sharad Pawar's faction

NEW DELHI: Four prominent leaders of Maharashtra NCP Ajit Pawar faction, changed their allegiance back to Sharad Pawar, after the party’s dismal performance in the LS polls. It is indicated that they will join the NCP led by Sharad Pawar on the 20th.

NCP Pimpri-Chinchwad unit chief Ajit Gavhane, student union president Yash Sane, former corporators Rahul Bhosale and Pankaj Bhalekar submitted their resignations. Gavhane said more leaders will leave the party.

After the setback in the Lok Sabha elections, there were rumours that some leaders of the Ajit Pawar camp would return to Sharad Pawar's side. However, Sharad Pawar said he would not accept people who tried to weaken the party.

Last year, Sarath Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar split the party along with many MLAs, in the 'Operation Lotus' conducted by BJP in Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar became Deputy Chief Minister in the government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. However, Ajit Pawar's faction won only one seat while Sharad Pawar's party won eight seats and proved its popular support in the LS polls.