Will Maha NCP Chief Tatkare Secure a United Contest with CM Fadnavis Ahead of Civic Body Elections?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- NCP is working to join the Mahayuti alliance.
- Meeting between Sunil Tatkare and CM Fadnavis is crucial for seat-sharing.
- Municipal elections for 29 corporations are approaching.
- NCP is committed to a collaborative approach with its allies.
- Nominations will begin on December 23.
Mumbai, Dec 19 (NationPress) The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, is intensifying its efforts to secure participation in the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, aiming to contest the forthcoming elections for 29 municipal corporations, which includes the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
State NCP chief Sunil Tatkare is scheduled to meet with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tonight to advocate for a fair allocation of seats in the upcoming elections alongside the BJP and Shiv Sena in the BMC and other civic bodies.
Tatkare stated, "The NCP is eager to contest the elections for the 29 municipal corporations as part of the Mahayuti alliance. I have already communicated with the BJP's in-charge for the BMC elections, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, and will meet the Chief Minister tonight to discuss our alliance."
The State NCP Chief announced that a significant meeting is anticipated on Friday to finalize the strategy for the Mahayuti alliance.
"We expect a pivotal meeting with CM Fadnavis today, aiming to formalize a policy that ensures the Mahayuti partners contest as a single unit across all 29 municipal corporations," Tatkare added.
Responding to inquiries regarding the seat-sharing with other Mahayuti allies, he acknowledged that while it is typical for parties in power to seek more seats, the NCP is dedicated to a collaborative approach through extensive discussions.
"I have directly engaged with CM Fadnavis and am coordinating with the BJP in-charge for BMC elections and other civic bodies. Our stance is clear: the NCP is committed to participating in these elections as part of the Mahayuti alliance," Tatkare emphasized.
He mentioned that NCP President and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will lead a session to review the reports from the ground, and NCP's National Working President Praful Patel will be updated on the results.
Tatkare also noted that he and NCP leader Praful Patel had met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah last week to discuss the NCP's role in the Mahayuti alliance for the BMC and other civic elections.
Home Minister Shah expressed his support for contesting these elections within the Mahayuti alliance, communicating this to the State BJP leadership.
In response to recent comments from Mumbai BJP Chief Amit Satam regarding NCP's involvement if former Minister Nawab Malik coordinates for BMC elections, Tatkare pointed out that high-level discussions have already occurred with Amit Shah, CM Fadnavis, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
Prior to the upcoming elections for the 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, Tatkare conducted a key review meeting with coordinators, city presidents, and district heads.
He confirmed that the nomination filing process will commence on December 23.
The meeting included participation from office-bearers throughout various regions, such as Vidarbha, Marathwada, North Maharashtra, Western Maharashtra, and the Thane-Mumbai division.
NCP leaders from major cities like Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Thane, and Kalyan-Dombivli provided insights on the local political situation, according to a party statement.
Tatkare reviewed the progress of initial discussions with alliance partners at the local level.
"The primary focus was on the necessary steps to contest the elections as a unified front under the Mahayuti alliance," he reiterated.