Congress MLA Switches Sides, Joins Ajit Pawar’s NCP Ahead Of Maharashtra Polls

Congress MLA Hiraman Bhika Khoskar from the Igatpuri assembly constituency joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP state president Sunil Tatkare officially welcomed Khoskar into the party.

The NCP emphasized that Khoskar is the “second biggest” member to join the party recently, following the induction of veteran actor Sayaji Shinde in Mumbai. According to an NCP statement, Khoskar joined the party with a large group of supporters.

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“Hiraman Bhika Khoskar joined the NCP with dozens of his supporters, including former Zila Parishad member Sampatnana Sakale, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Maharashtra NCP President Sunil Tatkare in Pune,” the statement read.

The party further highlighted that Khoskar’s entry will strengthen the NCP’s influence in Nashik and surrounding areas, particularly ahead of the Assembly elections. “Khoskar enjoys much support in Nashik region, particularly in the tribal community,” the statement added.

In a post on X, the party announced the induction of Khoskar, along with several other members, including zilla parishad members and former district officials. Among those who joined were Sandeep Gopal Gulve, Sampatanana Sakale, former Zilla Parishad member Jarnadan Mama Mali, former Zilla Parishad member Uday Jadhav, Vinayak Malekar, Jairam Dhande, Prashant Kadu, Pandumama Shinde, Dnyaneshwar Kadu, Sarpanch Jagan Kadam, Feroze Shaikh, Dilip Chaudhary, Tukaram Sahane, Ramesh Jadhav, Dashrath Bhagde, Sudam Bhor, Arun Gaikar, and Shivaji Sirsat.

“With the entry of Khoskar, the strength of the NCP party has increased,” the post added.

The Maharashtra legislative Assembly elections, to be contested across 288 constituencies, are expected to feature a battle between the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition (comprising the UBT Shiv Sena, NCP’s Sharad Pawar faction, and Congress) and the Mahayuti Alliance (including the BJP, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde faction, and the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar). The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the election dates.

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