NCP To Go Solo In Maharashtra Civic Elections, Ajit Pawar Says In Pimpri Chinchwad

The schedule for elections to local bodies, which include municipal councils, nagar panchayats and zilla parishads, is not yet finalised.        

Ajit Pawar argued that independent contests would help strengthen the cadres.

Source : PTI

Amid several leaders exiting the party after a poor performance in Lok Sabha, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Sunday said his party will be contesting civic elections independently in the state and added that the Mahayuti constituents are free to contest local bodies elections independently.

Addressing NCP workers in Pimpri Chinchwad city, he argued that independent contests would help strengthen the cadres.        

"Even though we are allies in Lok Sabha and state assembly, Mahayuti members are free to contest local bodies polls independently," he said.        

The schedule for elections to local bodies, which include municipal councils, nagar panchayats and zilla parishads, is not yet finalised.        

The ruling Mahayuti alliance consists of Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the BJP, and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar.        

Ajit Pawar also said that Pimpri Chinchwad is synonymous with his name.        

"Pimpri Chinchwad means Ajit Pawar and Ajit Pawar means Pimpri Chinchwad. No one can deny this fact," he said in an apparent swipe at his estranged uncle Sharad Pawar who had claimed credit for the development of the township.        

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar said new and old faces from all sections of the society will be fielded in elections to local bodies whenever they are conducted.        

“We contested the Lok Sabha elections in alliance and will be contesting assembly in alliance. I want to declare that the party will be contesting civic elections independently,” Pawar said addressing the party workers.