- Ajit Pawar-led NCP begins groundwork to contest BMC polls independently
- Candidate interviews underway, shortlist already prepared
- Mahayuti partners keep NCP out over Nawab Malik leadership issue
- Party keeps door open for post-poll arrangement
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 27th Dec: Even as talks over a possible reunion of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party remain on hold, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has started preparing to contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections on its own.
The third round of meetings of Mumbai NCP leaders concluded on Thursday under the leadership of state party president and MP Sunil Tatkare. The meetings were attended by Nawab Malik, Sana Malik and Zeeshan Siddiqui and focused on assessing the party’s readiness to go solo in Mumbai and finalising a preliminary list of candidates.
“We are preparing to contest around 60 seats. Interviews with interested candidates are underway and we have already prepared a shortlist. We are now awaiting the final nod from the party leadership,” NCP MLA Sana Malik said.
The development comes amid Mahayuti partners — the BJP and Shiv Sena — keeping the NCP out of seat-sharing talks for the BMC polls. The decision has been linked to the party’s choice of Nawab Malik as its Mumbai coordinator.
Sana Malik said the NCP would not bow to pressure. “The NCP will choose its own leaders. There are attempts to target Nawab Malik, but we will fight the elections on the ideology of Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar,” she said.
Sunil Tatkare said the party is close to finalising its Mumbai strategy. “We have been holding meetings with senior leaders for the past three days. We will arrive at a conclusion soon. We may be fighting this election alone,” he said.
On the party’s strategy for Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, Tatkare said the final call rests with NCP national president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. “Since 1999, Ajit Pawar has helped the party win single-handedly in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. He is examining the candidates and will take a call soon,” he said.
While preparing for an independent run, the NCP has also indicated that it remains open to a post-poll arrangement with the Mahayuti, which it has said would be its first preference.
