Major Defection In NCP (SP): Ex-Ministers, MLAs From Jalgaon Shift To Ajit Pawar Faction

Mumbai: In a major political shift in Maharashtra, several senior leaders from Jalgaon district left Sharad Pawar’s NCP and joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction on Saturday. Among those who joined the Ajit Pawar camp were former ministers of state Gulabrao Deokar and Satish Patil. They were joined by former MLAs Dilip Wagh, Dilip Sonawane, Kailas Patil, Dilip Patil and Sharad Patil.

The mass defection reflects growing dissatisfaction within the Sharad Pawar camp and a strategic push by Ajit Pawar to consolidate support in a region where his faction has so far struggled to establish deep organisational roots.

The induction took place at a ceremony held at KC College auditorium in Churchgate, in the presence of Ajit Pawar and NCP state president Sunil Tatkare. Pawar used the platform to reiterate his vision of inclusive development, stating that the NCP would work with all communities and strengthen its presence through grassroots membership drives. He also questioned the ideological stance of the Sharad Pawar group, pointing to its continued alliance with the Shiv Sena.

Meanwhile, Tatkare called on party workers to mobilise and expand the NCP’s reach across Maharashtra. He emphasised the need to accelerate development in the Khandesh region, with the party taking the lead in future growth initiatives.