Ajit Pawar Hopes for Alliance with Mahayuti Partners

Mumbai: Despite the BJP’s reluctance to ally with the NCP in Mumbai, Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Saturday expressed confidence that Mahayuti partners would arrive at a consensus ahead of the local body elections. He said the three senior leaders of the ruling alliance would meet after the winter session to discuss civic polls, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Pawar also indicated that election dates are likely to be announced next week.

The BJP has been eyeing control of the BMC since 2014. In the 2017 polls, it won 82 seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena secured 84 in the 227-member House, where 114 is the majority mark. This time, the BJP is wary of any alliance that could cost it seats. It is not inclined to join hands with the NCP because of Nawab Malik’s appointment as the Ajit Pawar-led party’s in-charge for BMC election. Mr. Malik faces allegations of association with the Dawook Ibrahim gang members. These allegations were raised by chief minister Fadnavis during his stint as the Leader of Opposition in 2021.

Apart from Mr. Fadnavis, senior BJP leaders Ashish Shelar and Mohit Kamboj had also accused Mr. Malik of questionable land deals involving aides of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. In 2023, Mr. Fadnavis had also written to Mr. Pawar opposing the former minister’s inclusion in the Mahayuti.

Asked about the BJP’s stance, Mr. Pawar said discussions would be held among Mahayuti leaders after the winter session. However, a senior BJP leader said an alliance with the NCP in the BMC would make it difficult to seek votes in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pawar defended his son Parth amid controversy over a 40-acre land deal in Pune, saying registration officials should have flagged that the land belonged to the state. He also dismissed allegations that a recent amendment was aimed at shielding Parth, asserting that accountability lay with registering authorities.