NCP Eyes Dual Alliances: BJP In Mumbai, NCP(SP) In Pune

Mumbai: Although the nomination process began on Tuesday for elections to 29 municipal corporations, including Asia’s richest civic body, political parties are yet to finalise their alliance pacts. The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is likely to finalise its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) within the next two days. The party is also expected to enter into an alliance with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

However, the BJP has openly opposed the NCP’s decision to contest the BMC elections under the leadership of Nawab Malik, citing his alleged links with aides of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. The BJP has maintained that it cannot contest the BMC polls alongside the NCP if Mr. Malik continues to lead its campaign. Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam had earlier stated that the NCP would be welcomed into the alliance provided it entrusted the BMC election responsibility to any leader other than Mr. Malik.

Responding to queries on an alliance with the BJP for the BMC, Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare said a second round of talks with the BJP would be held within the next one or two days. “A final decision on the alliance for the municipal corporation elections will be taken within two days. A meeting of the party’s MLAs is scheduled for Wednesday, during which the issue will be reviewed. One meeting has already been held with BJP leader Ashish Shelar, and another will take place soon,” Mr. Tatkare said.

Mr. Tatkare added that decisions regarding alliances in the PMC and PCMC would be taken by the party’s national president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who has conducted interviews of prospective candidates in Pune over the past two days. “The party’s stand on alliances in these cities will be decided on Wednesday as well,” he said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has, however, stated that since the BJP and NCP are the two principal parties in Pune district, there would be no alliance in Pune.

On the BJP’s objection to Mr. Malik’s leadership in the BMC, Mr. Tatkare reiterated that Mr. Malik is a senior party leader and has been appointed head of the committee formed for the BMC elections. “The party has already decided its stand on this issue,” he said, indicating that the NCP remains firm on Mr. Malik’s leadership despite BJP opposition.

Meanwhile, the Congress remains hopeful of forging an alliance with the NCP (SP) after a delegation of its leaders met Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad and party MLA Amin Patel.

A senior Congress leader said a delegation of NCP (SP) leaders held detailed discussions with Ms. Gaikwad on strategy and seat-sharing for the BMC polls. “The NCP (SP) has sought 50 seats from the Congress, which the Congress is unwilling to concede. Negotiations will continue tomorrow,” the leader said.

Both sides acknowledged each other’s political strength and grassroots influence and agreed to jointly mount a strong fight against the BJP-led Mahayuti, the Congress leader added.