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The Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP is preparing to contest around 60 seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, focusing on its own candidates and strategy, while keeping the door open for potential post-poll alliances with the Mahayuti.
Candidate interviews and shortlist in progress.
Mumbai: The Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party has initiated preparations to contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections independently. While discussions over a possible reunion with the Pune faction have been put on hold, the Mumbai unit is actively working on selecting candidates and finalising its strategy for the city elections.
The third round of meetings between senior Mumbai NCP leaders, including Nawab Malik, Sana Malik, and Zeeshan Siddiqui, concluded recently under the guidance of state party president and MP Sunil Tatkare. The meetings focused on assessing the party’s readiness to fight alone in Mumbai and finalising the list of potential candidates.
NCP MLA Sana Malik confirmed that the party plans to contest approximately 60 seats, though final approval from the party leadership is awaited. Candidate interviews are already underway, and a shortlist of eligible candidates has been prepared. This move signals the faction’s commitment to a focused electoral campaign in Mumbai, even if it means going solo.
Shiv Sena and the BJP, key members of the Mahayuti alliance, have reportedly decided to exclude the NCP from seat-sharing discussions in Mumbai. The decision comes in response to the NCP appointing Nawab Malik as its Mumbai coordinator for the BMC elections. Despite these challenges, Sana Malik emphasized that the party will adhere to its ideological principles, referencing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, and Dr BR Ambedkar as guiding figures for their campaign.
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Sunil Tatkare indicated that the Mumbai strategy is nearing finalisation. He stated that several days of meetings with senior party leaders have helped clarify the approach, and the party may ultimately contest the elections independently. Tatkare also highlighted that while the Mumbai unit is preparing to go alone, the party remains open to post-poll negotiations with the Mahayuti alliance.
The final call regarding Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad rests with NCP national president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Tatkare noted that Ajit Pawar has historically led the party to victories in these regions and is currently reviewing potential candidates before making a decision. The party’s performance in these key areas remains crucial for its overall electoral strategy.
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While the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP is gearing up for an independent campaign in Mumbai, it has kept open the possibility of post-poll arrangements with the Mahayuti alliance. This flexible approach reflects the party’s focus on both consolidating its base and exploring strategic partnerships after election results are declared.
