The NCP factions led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar have decided to set their differences aside for the upcoming elections to the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations. It was Rohit Pawar, MLA, who on Monday confirmed his party's decision to align with the Ajit Pawar faction in their strongholds for the 15 January elections. On Sunday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced the alliance between the two factions for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections.
Rohit, who is the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, reportedly said that the decision was influenced by the demands of party workers. “After NCP (SP)’s Prashant Jagtap quit the party, several workers approached executive president Supriya Sule and said that the two factions must come together. Keeping the sentiments of local party workers in mind, the decision to form an alliance was taken,” Jansatta said in a report.
The move is also seen as a joint effort to put an end to the recent trend of local leaders defecting to the BJP. It will also improve their chances against the BJP in Pune and their other traditional strongholds. According to the Karjat-Jamkhed MLA, while Sharad Pawar was not directly involved in the decision, he agrees that party workers are important and that their views matter. The alliance was forged to make the electoral battle easier for both factions, he added.
Seat-sharing formula finalised
Rohit Pawar declared that despite the alliance, the candidates of the two sides will retain their respective poll symbols. A seat-sharing formula has also been finalised between the two NCP parties. The development raises questions about the future of the centrist party. What does the coming together of the two factions mean in the broader picture? Is the Pawar family heading towards a reunion? According to Jansatta, Rohit categorically denied that this was happening. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said, “This alliance is limited to just these two civic bodies.”
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Addressing a campaign rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Sunday, Ajit Pawar said, "While finalising the list of candidates for the Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction decided to contest the polls together in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Because of this, the family will come together once again," ANI reported.
Calling it a decision taken in the interest of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar said the seat-sharing arrangement will be announced soon. "There were many questions in people’s minds about what would happen; many times, certain decisions have to be taken in the interest of Maharashtra’s development. I have discussed seat-sharing with leaders, and that too will be announced soon," he said.