Ajit Pawar's NCP Prepares for Standalone BMC Election Challenge

As attempts for a reunion between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party remain on pause, the Ajit Pawar-led group is actively preparing to contest the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently.

The party's Mumbai unit completed its third round of internal discussions on Thursday, centering on candidate selection and campaign readiness. These meetings were spearheaded by the state party president and MP Sunil Tatkare, alongside Mumbai leaders Nawab Malik, Sana Malik, and Zeeshan Siddiqui.

Sources within the party indicate that the Ajit Pawar faction intends to contest approximately 60 seats in the civic elections, although the final decision will rest with the party's high command. NCP MLA Sana Malik confirmed that interviews for aspiring candidates are currently in progress, and a list of top contenders has already been compiled.

“We are prepping to contest nearly 60 seats, pending final approval from our leadership,” she remarked, further adding that they are conducting thorough ward-wise evaluations to gauge electoral strength.

Alliance Talks Halted—For Now

Concurrently, the dynamics of alliance within the ruling Mahayuti have injected uncertainty. Both Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party have opted to keep the NCP out of initial seat-sharing negotiations for the BMC elections, reportedly due to opposition against Nawab Malik’s appointment as the party’s coordinator for Mumbai.

In response to the pushback, Sana Malik emphasized that the NCP would independently determine its leadership and campaign approach while championing the ideological legacy of figures like Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

Awaiting a Final Decision from Ajit Pawar

Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Sunil Tatkare expressed that the party is nearing the conclusion of its Mumbai strategy. “We have convened continuous meetings with key leaders over the last few days. A definitive decision will be reached soon, with a strong likelihood of an independent contest in the BMC elections,” he shared.

Regarding the party's plan for Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, Tatkare mentioned that the ultimate decision will lie with Deputy Chief Minister and national presidentAjit Pawar, who has consistently played a crucial role in securing electoral victories since 1999 and is actively reviewing potential candidates.

Open to Post-Election Collaborations

While gearing up for a solo venture, the NCP is also leaving the door ajar for post-election arrangements. Party leaders indicated that the Mahayuti would be their preferred choice for any post-poll collaboration, contingent on the outcome.

As discussions for a reunion pause and preparations hasten, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP seems resolute in independently gauging its political strength in Mumbai's crucial civic contest.