Negotiations for an electoral alliance between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Pimpri-Chinchwad have hit a significant roadblock. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) has put forward a substantial demand for seats in the upcoming civic polls, creating a tense atmosphere even before a formal pact can be solidified.
High Seat Demand Creates Stalemate
According to local NCP president Yogesh Behl, discussions held on Thursday night with NCP (SP) leaders MP Amol Kolhe and MLA Rohit Pawar remained inconclusive. The primary point of contention is the number of seats demanded by the Sharad Pawar camp. Initially, NCP (SP) asked for 27 seats but later revised it down to 23 seats out of the total 128 corporator positions in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
"This is a big number. It will be difficult to share so many seats with them but we will again hold negotiations and reach a solution," Behl stated, highlighting the challenge in accommodating such a demand. The NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has expressed its keenness for an alliance but finds the current request hard to meet.
Internal Discussions and Symbol Dispute
Behl mentioned that the local leadership would discuss the NCP (SP)'s demand with national president Ajit Pawar. Interestingly, he also revealed that some leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction have independently approached the NCP with a desire to contest on the NCP's official 'clock' symbol, regardless of the alliance outcome. "They said let the alliance be formed but they want to contest on our symbol. We are looking into this demand," Behl added.
However, NCP (SP)'s Amol Kolhe countered this claim, stating that the issue of the election symbol did not come up during their formal meeting. Kolhe emphasized that his party is still in the discussion phase. "We are at the stage of holding discussions. No one should jump to conclusions. So far, we have not made a decision," he said, adding that the party leadership will decide on an alliance after considering the views of workers and leaders.
BJP Confident, Aims for Sunday Candidate List
As the NCP factions negotiate, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is moving forward with its preparations. BJP MLA and chief campaign coordinator Shankar Jagtap announced that the party's first list of candidates for the PCMC polls will be declared on Sunday.
Jagtap exuded confidence, stating that the local unit has submitted its final list to the state leadership for approval. He dismissed any impact from opposition maneuvers, asserting, "BJP's vision is development. No matter what the opposition says, it will have no impact on our party. The victory of our candidates is a certainty." He expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power with a thumping majority, building on its first victory in the PCMC in 2017.
Multi-Party Negotiations Underway
The political landscape in Pimpri-Chinchwad is further complicated by parallel talks with other parties. Behl confirmed that the Shiv Sena has also approached the NCP for a potential seat-sharing arrangement, and those discussions are ongoing. The PCMC elections will see 128 corporators elected from 32 'prabhags' (wards), with each prabhag electing four representatives.
The coming days are crucial as parties finalize their strategies. The NCP alliance talks hang in the balance over the seat-sharing formula, while the BJP is poised to take an early lead by announcing its candidates. The outcome of these negotiations will significantly shape the contest for control of the crucial industrial civic body.
