Ahead of the Maharashtra civic polls 2026, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has submitted a list of 40 star campaigners to the State Election Commission, featuring senior leaders and youth faces, as the party weighs alliance options within the MahaYuti
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Filepic
In view of strengthening their preparations for the upcoming Maharashtra Maharashtra local body elections, the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday submitted its list of 40 star campaigners to the State Election Commission.
As reported by news agency IANS, the list, issued by State President Sunil Tatkare, includes high-profile leaders and key party members intended to lead the party’s outreach across the state.
The list of NCP star campaigners is headed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, followed by senior leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare.
Furthermore, other prominent ministers and leaders include influential names such as Hasan Mushrif, Nawab Malik, Dhananjay Munde, Narhari Zirwal, Aditi Tatkare and Mushtaq Antulay.
NCP star campaigners
The Nationalist Congress Party has included a mix of veteran leaders and youth faces, including Amol Mitkari, Rupali Chakankar, Samir Bhujbal, film star Sayali Shinde, deputy speaker of the state assembly Anna Bansode, Sana Malik and Zeeshan Siddique.
Considering that party veterans, including minister Chhagan Bhujbal and former minister Dilip Walse Patil, are missing from the list, speculations are being made that the NCP this time is betting on youth faces for the Maharashtra civic poll election campaign.
NCP released the list of star campaigners at a time when the party is still hopeful of being part of the MahaYuti alliance for the BMC elections.
Besides, the party is also expecting its due share in the Mahayuti alliance in the adjoining Thane Municipal Corporation, reported IANS.
Fuelling the fire between the political parties, NCP insiders have said that if they do not get due seats in the Mahayuti alliance, they are ready to go solo in these two civic bodies.
As per the reports, NCP will engage in a friendly fight with the BJP in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
BJP and NCP to fight independently
On the other hand, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already announced that the BJP and NCP will fight independently and will have a friendly fight to avoid benefiting a third party in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, as reported by news agency IANS.
Tatkare said discussions regarding the MahaYuti are ongoing at various levels. He indicated that a decision to contest all these elections as part of the Mahayuti is likely.
He further highlighted that the political situation varies from one municipal corporation to another.
The NCP leader also noted, “Where a party is in power, it is natural for it to seek a larger share. While party workers’ sentiments are important, multiple rounds of discussions are required within an alliance. NCP remains in favour of contesting the civic body elections as a part of the Mahayuti,” as per IANS.
(With inputs from IANS)
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