BMC Election 2026: In a major blow to NCP (Sharad Pawar), former group leader Rakhee Jadhav joins BJP

Rakhee Jadhav. File Pic

In a big blow to the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), former group leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) during its undivided phase (2017-22), Rakhee Jadhav, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday afternoon. She is set to file her nomination from her home turf in Ghatkopar later on Monday.

Speaking to mid-day.com on November 11, when the BMC finalised its ward reservations through a lottery system, Jadhav - who had won the 2017 BMC Election from Ward 170 - had said, "My electoral ward is reserved for women this year. I am certain I will contest and win the elections, as this is my home turf."

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However, BJP sources clarified that Jadhav joined the party ahead of the BMC Election 2026 following differences with NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) over the allotment of tickets to candidates. Jadhav was not available for comment on Monday.

In the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Jadhav had lost the Ghatkopar Assembly seat to BJP's Parag Shah, who is known as one of Mumbai's wealthiest political figures, along with developer Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who is also from the BJP.

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