Pune: Prajakt Tanpure, the nephew of former state NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil and a former MLA, has indicated that he might soon leave the party to join BJP. Tanpure is expected to announce his decision on April 20, coinciding with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s visit to Rahuri.Tanpure was initially the frontrunner for NCP (SP) ticket for the Rahuri byelection. At the last moment, however, BJP state president Ravindra Chavan held talks with him, following which Tanpure announced that he would not contest the bypoll. This development triggered speculation about his possible switch to BJP. Fuelling the buzz further, Chavan publicly stated that Tanpure would be welcomed if he decided to join the party. Tanpure has also stayed away from campaigning for NCP (SP) candidate Govind Mokate in the Rahuri bypoll.Tanpure said, “After spending so many years in politics, I have realised that there are limitations to working for the people and supporters if you are not part of govt. A large section of my supporters feel I should take a call. I will speak to them before making any decision.”Tanpure had defeated senior BJP politician Shivajirao Kardile in the 2019 assembly elections and later served as minister of state for urban development in MVA govt. Kardile, however, reclaimed the seat by defeating Tanpure in the 2024 assembly polls. Since BJP-led Mahayuti formed govt after the 2024 polls, speculation about Tanpure joining BJP has intensified.Questioning the relevance of loyalty in contemporary politics, Tanpure said those who remained steadfast to their parties and ideologies were struggling, while those who made ideological compromises were now in power. Referring Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, he said although they faced criticism for rebelling, voters eventually backed them and kept them in govt. “If people are supporting opportunistic politics, then politicians like us have to rethink our stand,” he added.Speaking about the speculation, state NCP (SP) president Shashikant Shinde said Tanpure would have comfortably won the Rahuri bypoll had he contested it. “He informed the party that he was not interested in contesting, which is why we fielded another candidate. I will meet Tanpure soon, and after our discussion, I am confident he will continue with the party and participate in the campaign,” Shinde said.
