Rajabhau Phad Joins NCP (SP) in Front of Sharad Pawar, Aligns for Maharashtra Assembly Polls

BJP leader Pankaja Munde's confidant, Rajabhau Phad, joined NCP (SP) with Sharad Pawar's endorsement ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections. Phad criticized the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena, accusing them of political persecution. His defection is viewed as a strategic move to reclaim the Parli seat.

In a significant development ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, BJP leader Pankaja Munde's trusted ally, Rajabhau Phad, joined the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) in the presence of party leader Sharad Pawar on Wednesday.

While inducting Phad into the party, Pawar criticized NCP leaders who switched sides to ally with the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena. Phad, a veteran sarpanch of Parli and former Rashtriya Samaj Paksha youth president, is expected to play a pivotal role in the NCP (SP)'s efforts to reclaim the Parli seat from Munde.

Phad highlighted alleged political persecution in Parli and accused Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde of embezzling public funds. NCP (SP) leader Bajrang Sonawane echoed these sentiments, expressing growing discontent within the Mahayuti alliance. Phad's defection is seen as a major blow to the ruling coalition.

(With inputs from agencies.)