Mumbai NCP Rift Deepens as Ajit Pawar Challenges Sharad Pawar Ahead of Elections
Mumbai, 27th December 2023: As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, Mumbai becomes a battleground of political upheaval with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) grappling with internal discord. Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar, leading a prominent faction, has initiated a direct assault on his uncle and rival faction leader Sharad Pawar, injecting turbulence into Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Ajit Pawar’s recent allegations of betrayal against Sharad Pawar, specifically in relation to the Former Chief Minister late Vasantdada Patil, signal a strategic maneuver ahead of the elections. In a surprising twist, Ajit Pawar has nominated his wife, Sunetra Pawar, as a candidate in the Baramati parliamentary constituency, directly challenging Supriya Sule, the sitting Member of Parliament and daughter of Sharad Pawar. Additionally, Ajit Pawar has declared his intent to ensure the defeat of Amol Kolhe, the current MP of Shirur and a staunch supporter of Sharad Pawar.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively shaping its electoral strategy, aiming to secure up to 45 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. This ambitious goal hinges on garnering support from Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction. Ongoing negotiations among the three parties seek to finalize a seat-sharing formula that accommodates all stakeholders. The BJP, as a key player, is vying for a substantial number of seats, recognizing the pivotal role Maharashtra plays in the upcoming polls.
Simultaneously, the Congress party is gearing up for a significant rally in Nagpur on December 28, commemorating its 138th foundation day. Esteemed leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, are slated to address the gathering. Post this event, formal discussions on seat-sharing will commence between the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), setting the stage for a dynamic and closely watched electoral battle in Maharashtra.
