Post by : Badri Ariffin

As discussions regarding a potential merger between the factions of the Nationalist Congress Party remain on hold, the Ajit Pawar-led subgroup is gearing up to contest the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently.

On Thursday, senior leaders from the party's Mumbai contingent finalized their third round of internal meetings, concentrating on candidate selection and field readiness. The sessions were led by Sunil Tatkare, the state party president and MP, alongside Mumbai leaders Nawab Malik, Sana Malik, and Zeeshan Siddiqui.

Insiders suggest the Ajit Pawar faction aims to field candidates in approximately 60 seats within the civic body, though the ultimate decision will lie with the party's leadership. NCP MLA Sana Malik confirmed that they are currently interviewing potential candidates and have already prepared a shortlist of capable individuals.

"We're gearing up to contest close to 60 seats, pending final approval from the leadership," she stated, noting that organizational reviews are underway on a ward-by-ward basis to evaluate electoral strength.

Alliance Discussions Suspended, for Now

In the meantime, the dynamics within the ruling Mahayuti coalition have introduced uncertainty. The Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party have opted to exclude the NCP from initial seat-sharing negotiations for the BMC elections, reportedly in response to concerns over Nawab Malik's appointment as the party's Mumbai coordinator for the upcoming polls.

In answer to the criticism, Sana Malik emphasized that the NCP will make its own decisions regarding leadership and campaign strategy. She affirmed that the party intends to contest the elections guided by the ideological legacies of Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Final Decision Awaited from Ajit Pawar

Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Sunil Tatkare stated that the party is nearing the conclusion of its strategy for Mumbai. "We have been in continuous discussions with senior leaders over the last three days. A clear decision will be reached shortly. There is a significant chance we may contest the BMC elections on our own," he mentioned.

Regarding the party's strategy in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, Tatkare indicated that the final decision will rest with national president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. He highlighted Ajit Pawar's crucial role in ensuring victories for the party in both civic bodies since 1999 and his active involvement in reviewing probable candidates.

Open to Post-Election Alliance

While the NCP readies for a solo campaign, they remain receptive to a post-election understanding. Party leaders have indicated that the Mahayuti would be their first choice for any post-poll alliance, based on the final electoral results.

At present, with talks for a reunion halted and preparations accelerating, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP seems committed to testing its independent strength in the high-stakes civic contest in Mumbai.

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