Who Is Bapusaheb Pathare? Pune BJP Leader to Join NCP (SP) and Contest Vadgaon Sheri Assembly Seat

Bapusaheb Pathare, a notable figure in Pune's political landscape, is set to make a significant shift. The former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, who served as the MLA for Vadgaon Sheri Assembly constituency from 2009 to 2014, has announced his decision to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar and contest the upcoming elections from the same constituency.

At a recent event, Pathare confirmed his move to the NCP (SP) and his intent to run on the party's 'tutari' symbol. "I urge you all to encourage your friends and family to vote for the 'tutari'," he stated, rallying support for his new political venture.

Pathare's political journey has seen several twists. Initially affiliated with the undivided NCP, he was elected as an MLA in 2009 but lost his seat in the 2014 elections to BJP's Jagdish Mulik. Pathare did not contest the 2019 elections and subsequently joined the BJP. His latest move, however, marks a return to his earlier political roots, albeit under a different party banner.

The situation in Vadgaon Sheri is currently dynamic, with the battle for the seat heating up within the Mahayuti alliance. Sunil Tingre, the incumbent MLA from the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, faces opposition from BJP workers. Recently, BJP activists in Vadgaon Sheri wrote to Maharashtra Legislative Council member Pankaja Munde, expressing their reluctance to campaign for Tingre if he is nominated by the Mahayuti for the upcoming polls. They have thrown their support behind Jagdish Mulik, who they believe has been instrumental in promoting the BJP's ideology in the area.

Complications have arisen further as Mulik has publicly criticized Tingre. During a recent visit by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to Vadgaon Sheri for a ₹300 crore development project, Tingre's posters featured only his party chief’s image, with no representation of BJP or Shiv Sena leaders. This act did not sit well with Mulik, who took to social media to voice his discontent. "Should only the BJP and Shiv Sena follow the principles of the alliance in Vadgaon Sheri?" Mulik wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "It is the responsibility of each component party in the Mahayuti to adhere to alliance principles, but the MLA of Vadgaon Sheri seems to have forgotten this."

As the political landscape in Vadgaon Sheri continues to evolve, Pathare’s new affiliation and candidacy are expected to add further complexity to the contest, with significant implications for local and state-level politics.