Maharashtra: NCP loses grip on Pimpri-Chinchwad as 17 senior leaders join BJP

The Nationalist Congress Partyrsquos onceunshakeable stronghold in PimpriChinchwad witnessed a decisive political rupture on Saturday as 17 senior leaders from the Ajit Pawarled NCP factionmdashincluding former mayors and standing committee chairpersonsmdashformally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPThe mass defection marks a critical turning point in the regionrsquos political history signalling the nearcomplete dismantling of a power structure that for over two decades symbolised the Pawar familyrsquos urban dominanceA former NCP fortressFor years after its formation in 1999 PimpriChinchwad was synonymous with the NCPrsquos political authority Under Sharad Pawarrsquos strategic leadership and Ajit Pawarrsquos firm organisational control in the Pune region the party built a formidable grassroots network The NCP ruled the PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation PCMC for multiple terms controlled key civic institutions and shaped the cityrsquos development agenda This periodmdashfrom the early 2000s to the mid2010smdashwas widely regarded as the partyrsquos golden phaseAjit Pawar played a central role in consolidating the partyrsquos urban base His influence over corporators mayors and local leaders ensured organisational discipline and consistent electoral success PimpriChinchwad emerged as an unquestioned NCP bastion often influencing political equations beyond municipal limitsErosion after 2017The first visible crack appeared in 2017 when the BJP wrested control of the PCMC from the NCP marking a significant erosion of the partyrsquos dominance The BJPrsquos rapid expansion in urban Maharashtra further weakened the NCPrsquos holdHowever the most damaging blow came from within The split between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar fractured the partyrsquos core creating confusion among workers and voters Divided loyalties weakened organisational cohesion triggering resignations and steady defections PimpriChinchwadmdashonce a symbol of unified Pawar leadershipmdashturned into contested political terrainDefections signal collapseSaturdayrsquos mass induction of senior NCP leaders into the BJP appears to be the culmination of this decline The entry of former mayors standing committee chairpersons and veteran corporatorsmdashonce pillars of the NCPrsquos civic administrationmdashunderscores how deeply the partyrsquos local structure has been hollowed out What began as gradual attrition has now assumed the character of a political collapseSenior leaders view the PimpriChinchwad setback as more than an electoral loss It stands as a case study in how internal rivalry leadership fractures and shifting alliances can dismantle even the strongest political bastions A city that once anchored the NCPrsquos urban power now mirrors the partyrsquos broader struggle for coherence and relevanceHighstakes civic battle aheadWith the PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation elections approaching both the BJP and the Ajit Pawarled NCP have announced plans to contest independently intensifying competition for former corporatorsAfter Ajit Pawar recently inducted former BJP standing committee chairpersons and excorporators into his party the BJP responded with a show of strength in Mumbai Those joining the BJP include leaders from the Ajit Pawarled NCP Shiv Sena Thackeray faction Congress and independents Former BJP corporator Ravi Landge who had earlier joined the Shiv Sena Thackeray also returned to the partyChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has categorically ruled out any alliance for the civic polls terming the contest with the Ajit Pawarled NCP a ldquofriendly fightrdquo Ajit Pawar meanwhile has declared that he will spare no effort to regain control of the PCMC and has begun reaching out to disgruntled BJP leaders claiming several former corporators are in touchSimilar churn in PuneA parallel political churn was also witnessed in the Pune Municipal Corporation PMC where the BJP delivered a significant blow to both the NCP and the Sharad Pawarled NCP SP Several former corporators from both factions were inducted into the BJP on Saturday despite the parties being allies at the state and national levelsProminent among the NCP SP entrants were Surendra Pathare son of sitting legislator Bapu Pathare and former corporator Sachin Dodke considered close to NCP SP working president Supriya SuleFrom the Ajit Pawarled NCP former corporators Sayali Wanjale Vikas Dangat Bala Dhankawade and Rohini Chimate joined the BJP Leaders including Narayan Galande Gana Chavan son of former MP Vasantrao Chavan Khandu Londhe former Khadakwasla sarpanch Santosh Mate and Anil Tupe from the NCP SP were also inductedThe bigger pictureTogether the developments in PimpriChinchwad and Pune underline a decisive shift in urban Maharashtrarsquos political landscape Once impregnable NCP bastions are witnessing accelerated erosion while the BJP continues to consolidate its dominanceMahesh Landge BJP MLA from Bhosari Pune saidldquoOn the occasion of the PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation elections 2025ndash26 senior leaders officebearers and former corporators from various political parties have officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the guidance of state BJP president Ravindra Chavan I warmly welcome all respected leaders of PimpriChinchwad into the BJP family Committed to the ideals of nation faith culture and developmentoriented Hindutva we are determined to secure an undisputed victory for the BJP in PimpriChinchwadrdquoShankar Jagtap BJP MLA from Chinchwad said ldquoPimpriChinchwad has earned many identitiesmdashas an industrial hub an ITICT centre and a smart city The city provides employment on one hand and worldclass civic facilities on the other This progress has been achieved due to the consistent efforts of the cityrsquos elected representatives Corporators and officebearers across parties have played a crucial role often setting aside political differences for the sake of development Those who have joined the BJP today share the same commitment to keeping PimpriChinchwad on the path of progress With their support we are confident that the cityrsquos development momentum will continue in the years aheadrdquo