The NCP’s Mumbai unit chief, Rakhi Jadhav, dealt a significant blow to the Sharad Pawar-led party by resigning and joining the BJP. Jadhav’s move, which surprised many in the Sharad Pawar camp, comes as she was a key contender for the BMC elections and led the party’s efforts in the same. She officially joined the BJP in the presence of key party members, including Mumbai BJP chief Amit Satam and Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar.
Former minister and prominent BJP leader Prakash Mehta’s absence during Jadhav’s switch to the BJP did not go unnoticed. Jadhav is expected to secure the BJP nomination from the N ward, where she previously held office, as she made the move just before the nomination deadline for the upcoming elections. Her decision to leave the NCP(SP) for the BJP was reportedly influenced by her dissatisfaction with the seat-sharing arrangements within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.
Jadhav’s departure from the NCP(SP) follows a trend of other notable exits, including former Pune city chief Prashant Jagtap, who recently joined the Congress. The NCP(SP) is currently in discussions with the Shiv Sena (UBT) for a seat-sharing agreement, with talks ongoing between veteran NCP(SP) legislator Jayant Patil and Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Meanwhile, the BJP has unveiled its initial list of candidates for the BMC elections, featuring a diverse mix of candidates from different backgrounds and political experiences.
