PUNE, 5 NOV. A major political earthquake has hit Pune's politics immediately after the announcement of local self-government body elections. Against this backdrop, a prominent leader from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP - Sharad Pawar Faction) in Khed taluka has decided to leave the party and join the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This defection is likely to change the political equations in North Pune.

Atul Deshmukh, the former Zilla Parishad member and an influential local leader from Khed taluka, has decided to quit the NCP and join the Shiv Sena under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. A grand ceremony for his party induction will be organized in Chakan on Thursday (November 6), with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena MLAs, and senior district officials expected to be present.

Deshmukh's decision is likely to completely transform the political scenario in North Pune. The Shiv Sena (Shinde Faction) will gain significant strength, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar Faction) has suffered a major blow just before the elections. The Deshmukh family holds a strong influence in Khed's politics. Although Atul Deshmukh had joined the NCP only a year ago, sources suggest that due to internal party differences and increasing dissatisfaction with the local leadership over the past few months, he has ultimately bid farewell to the Sharad Pawar faction.

It is reported that several corporators, Panchayat Samiti members, and countless workers from the Chakan, Rajgurunagar, and Alandi areas will also join the Shinde faction along with Deshmukh. Notably, Atul Deshmukh was known as a supporter of MP Amol Kolhe and was preparing for the local elections. His decision, taken within hours of the Model Code of Conduct coming into effect, is being seen as a deep indication of the internal friction and dissatisfaction within the party.

Following this political upheaval, power dynamics in North Pune will be reshaped, and political circles are abuzz with speculation that more surprising changes may occur within the Nationalist Congress Party's camp.

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