Congress MLA Hiraman Bhika Khoskar Joins Ajit Pawar-Led NCP Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Strengthens Party in Nashik
Mumbai: In a significant political move ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, Congress MLA Hiraman Bhika Khoskar from Igatpuri has joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Khoskar, along with dozens of his supporters, officially joined the NCP at Ajit Pawar's residence in Mumbai on Monday. This development is expected to strengthen theDeputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and State NCP President Sunil Tatkare welcomed Khoskar into the party fold during a ceremony in Pune. The party hailed Khoskar’s entry as the second biggest political gain for NCP, following veteran actor Sayaji Shinde’s recent membership. NCP's position in Nashik and surrounding areas, especially among the tribal communities.
इगतपुरीचे आमदार आणि आदिवासी समाजाचे नेते श्री. हिरामण खोसकर यांनी आज राष्ट्रवादीचे विकासाभिमुख विचार स्वीकारत माझ्या आणि प्रदेशाध्यक्ष खा. सुनील तटकरे यांच्या उपस्थितीत आपल्या प्रमुख सहकाऱ्यांसह राष्ट्रवादी काँग्रेस पक्षात प्रवेश केला. आमदार खोसकर यांचा पक्षप्रवेश म्हणजे… pic.twitter.com/iYO5e6oLcS
— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) October 14, 2024
NCP Welcomes Khoskar and Other Key Members
Khoskar, along with notable figures such as former Zila Parishad member Sampatnana Sakale, has a strong following in the Nashik region, which the NCP hopes to leverage in the upcoming elections.
New Members Strengthening the NCP Ahead of Polls
The NCP announced several new members, including former Zilla Parishad members and district officials. These include Sandeep Gopal Gulve, Sampatanana Sakale, Uday Jadhav, Vinayak Malekar, and several others from across Nashik and neighboring areas, further bolstering the party’s strength in the region.
Strengthening NCP’s Position for the Maharashtra Assembly Elections
As the Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, with 288 constituencies up for grabs, Khoskar’s shift to the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP adds momentum to the party’s campaign. The Election Commission of India has not yet announced the official election dates, but the upcoming contest is expected to be a showdown between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (comprising Shiv Sena-UBT, Congress, and NCP Sharad Pawar faction) and the Mahayuti Alliance (comprising BJP, Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction, and NCP Ajit Pawar faction).
