Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, a senior leader of Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), expressed regret for abandoning Sharad Pawar but explained that his action was motivated by the desire to defend his people. His comments come as talk grows over his possible return to Sharad Pawar's NCP ahead of the state legislature elections.

Speaking at a Phaltan celebration commemorating his 75th birthday, Nimbalkar disclosed that he chose to affiliate with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's group to protect his workers' interests, but those promises were not kept. "I feel sorry for abandoning Sharad Pawar, but I did it to preserve the safety of my employees. However, that has not occurred," stated Nimbalkar, a former chairperson of the state legislative council.