In a notable political shift, Congress MLA Hiraman Bhika Khoskar, representing the Igatpuri assembly constituency, joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday night. The formal induction took place in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP state president Sunil Tatkare.
Khoskar’s departure from Congress follows suspicions of cross-voting during the recent Rajya Sabha elections, which prompted him to distance himself from the party. This move had sparked widespread speculation about his potential exit from Congress and his inclination towards joining the ruling party ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
In a parallel development, the top leadership of Congress convened a crucial meeting with Maharashtra party leaders in New Delhi on Sunday. The meeting, held at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, included prominent figures such as former party chief Rahul Gandhi, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar, and senior leader Balasaheb Thorat.
After the meeting, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole reassured party workers and supporters, stating that there are no seat-sharing issues among the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition constituents. “The strategy for the Maharashtra Assembly polls was discussed. We will move forward with our alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi,” Patole told reporters, emphasizing their commitment to overcoming the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “horrible tactics.”
Khoskar’s defection to the NCP underscores the ongoing volatility within Maharashtra’s political landscape as parties prepare for the upcoming elections. The consolidation of power by Ajit Pawar and the NCP, combined with the Congress leadership’s efforts to maintain party unity, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Maharashtra politics. As the elections approach, both factions are expected to intensify their campaigns to secure voter support amidst rising tensions and shifting alliances.
