Pune: As the upcoming assembly elections approach, political dynamics in Maharashtra are undergoing significant changes, with a notable increase in party-switching.

In Pimpri-Chinchwad, considered a stronghold of Ajit Pawar, the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) has successfully lured veteran BJP leader Ravi Landge, dealing a major blow to the BJP.

Ravi Landge, a prominent figure in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, has officially severed ties with the BJP. On Tuesday, August 20, at a ceremony scheduled for 12 PM at Matoshree in Mumbai, Landge will join the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction in the presence of party leader Uddhav Thackeray.

Landge's political roots run deep, with his uncle and father being active politicians in the region, and his strong public connections in the municipal corporation make this defection a significant setback for the BJP.

Ravi Landge, the nephew of the late Ankushrao Landge, former city president of the BJP in Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the son of the late Babasaheb Landge, a former leader of the opposition in the municipal corporation, has made the decision to align with the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction). Known for his unwavering loyalty to the BJP, Landge’s shift marks a pivotal moment in the city's political landscape.

Pimpri-Chinchwad has long been dominated by the Congress and NCP, but it was the late Ankushrao Landge who planted the BJP's roots in the region, successfully securing double-digit seats in the municipal corporation.

Ravi Landge, continuing his family's political legacy, was elected unopposed as a BJP corporator in the 2017 municipal elections. His departure from the BJP, along with his family’s historical loyalty, underscores the changing political tides in the region.