Former Pune mayor and city president of NCP-SP Prashant Jagtap joins Congress

However, Jagtap stuck to his stand and quit the post of Pune unit chief and also the party. Jagtap had said he would continue to be in politics to safeguard Constitution and never compromise on secular values.

Prior to joining Congress, Jagtap received calls from Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Jagtap said, “The Congress is a 135-year-old party, a vast ocean that stands firm like the Himalayas despite any storm. As a progressive worker, I joined to carry forward the thoughts of Gandhi, Nehru, and Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar. My fight is against communalism and corruption of BJP and RSS, and today, only Congress can take on the BJP.”

Speaking on the occasion, Sapkal stated, “The ideology of Shiva-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar and the Congress party are two sides of the same coin. Political parties operate on ideologies, and Congress is fighting this ideological battle with utmost loyalty. Today, some parties work only for power and amass wealth through corrupt means to win elections. A drama of ‘throw money and watch the show’ is in full swing. The ideology of Congress is what will save the country. Prashant Jagtap has entered the vast ocean of Congress, and we welcome him.”

He added, “Congress fights for values of equality, brotherhood, and social justice. On the other side is the BJP, which holds a communal and Manuvadi mindset, aiming to keep power and religion in the hands of a select few. Some people were given everything by Congress—posts of CM, ministers and MPs—yet they left claiming ‘suffocation.’ While people usually salute the rising sun, Jagtap has joined Congress specifically for an ideological struggle.”

Congress Legislative Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar remarked, “Prashant Jagtap was working with NCP (Sharad Pawar). He took a firm stand against joining communal forces and chose Congress; this is what commitment to ideology looks like. He is a leader who refuses to compromise on the values of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar. Many tried to stop him or offer deals, but he did not abandon the progressive path. With such leaders, 2029 will belong to us.”

Commenting on Jagtap’s decision, NCP-SP leader Jayant Patil said, “Jagtap should not have hastily taken a decision just based on the talks of possible alliance and when nothing has been decided.”