In a first, two factions of NCP join hands for Kolhapur local body poll

Days after Sharad Pawar urged his leaders to ally with all except BJP, the NCP (SP) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP have joined hands for the Chandgad Nagar Panchayat polls in Kolhapur.

Congress called the local-level alliance “expected” in civic elections.The rival NCP factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar have come together for the Chandgad Nagar Panchayat polls, forming the ‘Shahar Vikas Aghadi’. (Express Photo)

Days after NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar asked his party leaders to join hands with other parties except BJP in the local self-government body polls, the two factions of the NCP, in a first of its kind move, have joined hands for the Chandgad Nagar Panchayat polls. Congress, the alliance partner of NCP (SP) said, this was bound to happen in local self government body polls.

The announcement about the poll fight alliance, polling of which is scheduled for next month, was made by NCP leader and Mahayuti Minister Hasan Mushrif in Kolhapur on Monday. Mushrif addressed the press conference in the presence of NCP (SP) leader Nandatai Bhabhulkar and Rajesh Patil of the NCP. They earlier held a meeting in Gadhinglaj where they decided to set up their alliance, Shahar Vikas Aghadi.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhabulkar and Patil said they came together based on a progressive ideology. Rajesh Patil, on the other hand, said several leaders from Congress will be joining the party.

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Expressing his satisfaction on the two factions’ union, Mushrif said, “Our unity will ensure our victory in the Nagar Panchayat elections. There are other parties and leaders who are ready to join hands with us.”
The alliance comes at a time when there is fierce rivalry between them at the state level.

Reacting to the development, Congress MLC Satej Patil said, “It is not a big deal. Such alliances will happen in local self government body polls. Actually, it has already happened in several places in the state, but since Mushrif held the press conference, everyone came to know about it.”

In 2023, Ajit Pawar had parted ways with his uncle and formed a separate group with 40 MLAs. He then joined hands with BJP and Shiv Sena to form Mahayuti. The Election Commission later recognised Ajit Pawar’s group and gave it the party identity and symbol. The Sharad Pawar led group was given the name NCP (SP). Since then, the two have fought elections, including Lok Sabha and Assembly, against each other across the state.

At Sunday’s core committee meeting of NCP (SP),  Sharad Pawar urged party leaders to tie up with like-minded parties, except the BJP. He also asked the party to field original OBC candidates in seats reserved for OBCs. He said where ever OBC candidates are not available, those Kunbi certificates should be fielded from there, said a party leader.

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