Prashant Jagtap Resigns as NCP (Sharad Pawar Faction) Pune City President, Denies Secret BJP Entry

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 24th December 2025: Prashant Jagtap, Pune city president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction), on Wednesday announced his resignation from the party and his post, asserting that the decision was taken consciously and without any pressure, anger or personal ambition.

Addressing a press conference at the PMC building premises, Jagtap dismissed speculation around his political move and said he had not made any “secret” switch. “I have not gone anywhere quietly. I have taken this decision after informing everyone concerned,” he said, amid reports linking him to a possible BJP entry.

Recalling his long political journey, Jagtap said he joined the NCP in 1999 along with thousands of workers and spent 26 years working for the party. “I got opportunities to serve as corporator, mayor and city president because of the party. I worked under the leadership of Ajit Pawar and MP Supriya Sule. The people of Wanowrie supported me wholeheartedly, and for that I will always remain grateful to party leaders and workers,” he said.

Clarifying that his politics was not driven by posts or electoral outcomes, Jagtap said defeat did not deter him. Referring to his recent Assembly election loss, he noted that securing over one lakh votes as a candidate backed by Sharad Pawar reflected the hard work of party workers. “I am not in politics only for positions,” he said.

Jagtap said there had been intense speculation and internal churn over the past few days, which also affected his health. “Keeping everyone’s dignity intact and without harming my health, I decided to resign from the party and the city president’s post. I have sent my resignation to the state president. This decision is not meant to shock or hurt anyone,” he clarified.

On his relationship with senior leaders, Jagtap said his respect for Sharad Pawar remained unchanged. “Leaders like Sharad Pawar are born once in a century. I have always aligned with his stand on social unity, and that respect will continue. I will approach him in future as well for
social issues,” he said.

He also made it clear that he would not stake any claim over the party office or criticise the party publicly. “Supriya Sule and Jayant Patil gave me time for discussions, and I am thankful to them. I will not disclose details of those discussions,” he said.

Referring to recent voting trends in Pune, Jagtap said over 1.27 lakh citizens had voted against a particular ideology, and his decision should not be seen as disrespect to their mandate. “This is not a move against the party leadership,” he added.

Looking ahead, Jagtap announced that he would continue to fight for Pune’s civic issues and confirmed that he would contest the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation elections. He also appealed to his supporters not to quit the party because of his resignation.

The development is being closely watched in Pune’s political circles, especially in the context of the PMC elections and ongoing churn within opposition parties in Maharashtra.