Vaibhav Pichad confirms his entry in BJP

Mumbai: In yet another setback to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), its Akole MLA Vaibhav Pichad has decided to join the BJP. His father and senior NCP leader Madhukar Pichad has also announced that he will join the BJP along with his son.

The Pichads are prominent figures in Ahmednagar district and their exit is likely to cause a severe dent in the NCP’s firepower in the district. Along with the father-son duo, their supporters have also decided to quit the party and join the BJP.

According to sources, Mr Pichad will resign as a MLA on July 28 and join the BJP on July 30 or 31.

The Akole MLA said that he had organised a meeting of his followers on Saturday to gauge their opinion. Most of his supporters wanted him to join the BJP, he said.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured him that he would get all required help to solve the problems of his constituency, he said.

Meanwhile, Rohit Pawar, grand-nephew of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, has hit out at leaders who have quit the party.

The NCP will not be finished by the exit of some people and it will emerge from the crisis, he said.

Mr Pawar’s comments come on the backdrop of the party’s Mumbai unit chief Sachin Ahir joining the Shiv Sena a couple of days ago. This was followed by the resignation of Chitra Wagh, president of the party’s state women’s wing. She is also expected to join the BJP.

A few other NCP leaders are also expected to quit the party to join either the Sena or the BJP.

Commenting on this, Pawar’s grand-nephew said, “There is a big difference between the words opportunity and opportunist. The party gave them ample of opportunities. But they are now quitting the party for their own self-interest. Even today, they are being labelled as NCP leaders. But they should realise that had they not been from the NCP, nobody would have given them importance. They might have personal reasons to quit, but the party does not get finished by the departure of some people. It will definitely emerge from this crisis.”

In the Lok Sabha polls, the NCP won just four seats in the state. It also won Lakshadweep. Ally Congress could only win one seat in the state.

However, after the polls, there has been an exodus from the party, with several leaders joining the Sena or the BJP. Some others are also expected to quit in the coming days.