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New Delhi: More than 2 years after the Nationalist Congress Party split, cousins Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar shared the stage for the first time. Both of them jointly released a manifesto for the upcoming civic elections in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The NCP split into NCP and NCP(Sharad Chandra Pawar), a faction. One is led by Ajit Pawar, while the other by his uncle, veteran politician, Sharad Pawar, who was also the founder of NCP.
In July 2023, Ajit Pawar broke away from the NCP, led by Pawar senior and joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and BJP, to form the government in Maharashtra. Now, for the first time, he has shared the stage with his cousin, Supriya Sule, who is the working president of NCP(SP). This is a clear indication of the growing proximity between the two sides.
The NCP and NCP (SP) are both part of opposite alliances. While NCP is with the NDA and is also a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra, NCP(SP) is with the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. Now however the 2 factions of NCP are coming together to contest the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra. Altogether 29 civic bodies in Maharashtra, including Pune and Pimpri Chinchawad are gearing up for polls on January 15.
Sule and other NCP(SP) leaders had not attended the campaigning for the civic polls, but they were present for the manifesto release.
The manifesto promises several services to the voters across Pune. From ensuring clean drinking water, to helping check traffic chaos to building pothole free roads, it has it all. Here is a list of the promises made in the joint manifesto released by the 2 political factions of NCP.
1. Uninterrupted daily water supply
2. Traffic-free, pothole-free Pune Municipal Corporation
3. Regular cleanliness
4. High-tech facilities
5. Pollution free city
They further promised redevelopment of slums and old buildings and a Pune Model School.
Sule, speaking to the press, expressed confidence about her party performing well in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). She claimed that the "atmosphere was very good" and the party was ready to contest with "full strength."
Ajit Pawar's NCP had released a list of 37 candidates. They were set to contest solo. The names included
Manish Dubey, who is contesting from Ward 3
Cyril Peter D'Souza – Ward 48
Ahmed Khan - Ward 62
Baban Ramchandra Madne - Ward 76
Sachin Tambe - Ward 93
Ayesha Shams Khan - Ward 96
Abdul Rashid (Captain) Malik - Ward 165
Sabia Aslam Merchant - Ward 224
The NCP-SP had also released its list of candidates for 7 wards across Mumbai. The names included in the list are -
Ajit Ravarane - Ward 43
Sanjay Bhimrao Kamble - Ward 140(SC)
Shraddha Javed Deshpande - Ward 78
Ganesh Shinde - Ward 48
Rohini Mandan Khanvilkar - Ward 59
Manju Ravindra Jadhav - Ward 112.
In Mumbai the polling is scheduled to be held on January 15 and counting is the very next day.
