The Nationalist Congress Party faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has decided to contest the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections independently, marking a significant political development. This decision comes after the party's negotiations for a seat-sharing arrangement with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance collapsed.
Seat-Sharing Demands Prove to be Sticking Point
According to senior party leader Rajabhau Taksale, the alliance did not materialize because the Mahayuti coalition did not offer the number of seats the NCP required. Taksale asserted that the party is fully prepared to contest on its own strength and will put up a strong performance in the polls. Sources familiar with the negotiations revealed that the Ajit Pawar-led NCP had demanded 40 seats from the Mahayuti, a figure that was not accepted by the alliance partners.
Comparative Negotiations and Eventual Outcome
The negotiations highlight the complex dynamics within the ruling coalition. Reports indicate that the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) had also initially sought around 40 seats to begin talks, though that demand was also not met in full. Ultimately, the Sena (Shinde faction) managed to secure eight seats from the BJP's quota within the Mahayuti. In contrast, the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) was left out of the final arrangement altogether, leading to its decision to go solo in nearly 100 wards.
Leadership Intervention Cited as a Factor
Another leader from the Ajit Pawar camp pointed to the lack of assertive intervention from the party's top leadership in Mumbai as a key reason for the failed talks. The leader explained that during negotiations, BJP representatives often invoked the authority of senior figures like the Chief Minister and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, making it difficult for local NCP negotiators to push their case effectively. The leader suggested that a more forceful stand taken by the NCP's senior leadership might have altered the outcome.
With the breakdown of talks, the political landscape for the Nagpur civic polls has become more fragmented. The NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction is now set to embark on a solo campaign, potentially splitting votes and altering the electoral equations in what promises to be a closely watched contest.
