Pune: Political Turmoil in Pimpri-Chinchwad as NCP MLAs Rally Behind Ajit Pawar

Sumit Singh

Pimpri, 2nd July 2023: NCP MLAs Anna Bansode from Pimpri and Sunil Shelke from Maval have joined Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, the role of NCP’s Pimpri Chinchwad city president Ajit Gavane remains unclear as his mobile phone has been switched off. Former Bhosari MLA Vilas Lande, however, has declined to align himself with either Ajit or Sharad Pawar, asserting his position as a ‘nationalist’.

Under Ajit Pawar’s leadership, NCP had a significant influence over the Pimpri-Chinchwad city. When NCP was in power in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), Pawar made all the key decisions for the city. This control extended to the organization within the city as well, with NCP office-bearers in strong support of Ajit Pawar. Although NCP previously held a stronghold in Pimpri-Chinchwad, it now has only one MLA, Anna Bansode, who has remained loyal to Pawar from the start and was present at the swearing-in ceremony.

Similarly, NCP MLA Sunil Shelke from Maval also attended the ceremony, indicating his alignment with Ajit Pawar. Despite attempts to contact them, both Bansode and Shelke could not be reached for comment.

Former Bhosari MLA Vilas Lande stated his affiliation as a ‘nationalist,’ but when questioned about his association with Ajit or Sharad Pawar, he declined to comment.