Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat has alleged that senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil is likely to leave Sharad Pawar’s party and join Ajit Pawar’s NCP, an official said.
“I have said this in the past. Jayant Patil is in no mood to stay in NCP (SP) for long. There will be an earthquake in Sharad Pawar’s party. You will see Jayant Patil joining Ajit Pawar’s NCP (Nationalist Congress Party),” Shirsat said on Thursday.
Shirsat’s comments came after Patil, the state president of NCP (SP), made a statement that fuelled speculation about his possible departure from the party.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said Patil’s recent behaviour suggested something was on his mind. “We can only guess what he wants to say. I am not sure of the inference behind his remark. He is a senior politician, an eight-term MLA and has held responsible positions,” Wadettiwar said.
NCP minister Hasan Mushrif also noted that Patil seemed unhappy. “He is aware that it is difficult to do politics and keep NCP (SP) intact for the next five years,” he said.
Meanwhile, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule responded to Shirsat’s claim, calling it a compliment. “They (the rivals) need Jayant Patil despite their big organisational strength,” she said.
The NCP split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar and his supporters joined the Mahayuti alliance. He later secured the party’s official name and symbol, while Sharad Pawar’s faction became NCP (SP).
In the last Maharashtra assembly elections, NCP won 41 seats, while NCP (SP) got only 10, increasing speculation that some of its leaders may switch sides.