News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/22nd July 2024
Deputy Chief Minister and National Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar declared on Sunday that his party would independently contest the upcoming civic body elections in the state. Speaking to the Pune unit of NCP, Pawar emphasized that while the NCP had formed alliances for the Lok Sabha elections and would do so again for the Assembly polls, the party would stand on its own for the civic elections.
Pawar’s announcement came in the wake of recent defections within the NCP. Several local leaders from Pimpri Chinchwad left the party to join the Sharad Pawar faction. In response to these developments, Pawar stressed the importance of strengthening the party at the grassroots level. He urged local leaders and the cadre to work diligently to fortify the NCP’s presence in their respective areas, highlighting that the party’s strength lies in its local support.
The Deputy Chief Minister is facing the challenge of proving his political acumen, especially after the NCP’s lackluster performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The forthcoming Assembly elections will be a critical test for Pawar’s leadership. Although the schedule for the local body elections, which include municipal councils, nagar panchayats, and zilla parishads, has not been finalized, Pawar’s announcement sets the stage for an intense political battle.
Addressing the defections in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pawar noted that some local leaders left the NCP due to perceived limitations in their growth potential within the party’s alliances with other political groups. However, he reassured supporters that the majority of the party’s cadre remained loyal. Pawar emphasized that the decision to join the NDA alliance was driven by a commitment to the overall development of the state.
NCP’s Pune unit chief, Deepak Mankar, dismissed rumors of further defections within the party. He highlighted the strategic importance of being part of an alliance that governs both the state and the center, citing the examples of Nitish Kumar in Bihar and Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh. According to Mankar, aligning with the NDA ensures the development and prosperity of the state.
Pawar also called for a positive and dignified election campaign. He urged party members to avoid any behavior that could tarnish the NCP’s reputation. “Our election campaign should be positive. Don’t allow anyone to try to gain sympathy due to our behavior or stand,” he stated. Pawar referenced a recent incident involving sitting legislator Sunil Tingre, who was implicated in a hit-and-run (Porsche crash) case. Tingre faced hours of questioning but was found to have no connection to the incident. Pawar commended Tingre for his transparency and for promptly responding to the situation, as any responsible legislator would.
As the NCP prepares for the upcoming civic elections, Pawar’s call for unity and strength within the party is clear. The focus now shifts to how effectively the NCP can mobilize its resources and garner support to secure a strong foothold in the local governance landscape. The upcoming elections will not only test the NCP’s resilience but also its ability to navigate the complex political terrain of the state.
