After Shah’s ‘crutches’ comment, Ajit Pawar says NCP local units free to take decision on alliance

Pawar clarified that there will be no pressure from the central leadership of the party to form an alliance for local polls. “The decision has to be taken by the local units of the party and that decision will be accepted. We will not dictate anyone about alliance,” he said.

Speaking with journalists at a Diwali function, CM Devendra Fadnavis had said that the ruling alliance will fight the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections as an alliance. “But in other places, we will take decisions according to the local situation,” he said. “If we fight as a grand alliance (Mahayuti), seats of the opposition may increase. Therefore, we will fight independently without being overly emotional, and after winning, we will come together as a grand alliance,” he had said.

Addressing party workers after laying the foundation stone of the party’s new headquarters near Churchgate railway station in South Mumbai, Shah had called on party workers to double their efforts to “wipe out” the Opposition in the local body elections.

“The BJP has to make its mark in panchayat, zilla parishad and municipal corporations. It should leave no scope for Opposition anywhere. The Opposition should not be seen even with help of binoculars… Maharashtra mein BJP party kisi baisakhi ke adhaar par nahi chalti. BJP apne balbute pe chalti hain (in Maharashtra, the BJP does not operate on crutches… it runs on its own strength),” Shah said.