Journalism of Courage
The NCP effort to get full majority in PMC by citing development work in neighbouring PCMC,where it held power single-handedly,failed to garner support from voters. Though NCP has been elected as the single largest party,it will have to take support of other political party.
The party had a strength of 42 in 2007 and it managed to increase its tally to 51. NCP chief Sharad Pawar had participated in the election campaign urging citizens to give the party complete majority so that the development work in PCMC could be replicated in PMC.
The NCP contested the elections under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. He was involved in distribution of ticket and was stationed for the party campaign. He addressed rallies and conducted road shows last week before the civic polls. NCP MP Supriya Sule and state ministers R R Patil,Chhagan Bhujbal too participated election campaigns.
Though the party was the first to declare its election manifesto,the NCP declared the list of candidates at the last minute to avoid rebellion of party leaders. We have increased the party tally and the mandate is in favour of us, said city NCP chief Vandana Chavan as the activists celebrated outside the party office.
The party received setback as many of its senior leaders were defeated in the elections. Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal,former mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale,Nilesh Nikam,Shrikant Patil lost. The party decision to rope in former mayor Rajani Tribhuvan and Sena corporator Leena Pansare did not yield result as both of them lost.
