Despite the BJP's move to corner him following remarks on the irrigation scam, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar is currently executing a high-stakes “checkmate” strategy against the BJP in the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations
NCP chief Ajit Pawar. File pic
In view of strengthening the hold of their respective parties ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections, Ajit Pawar has been recently seen highlighting notable moves with some even going against the alliance parties in state.
Despite the BJP's move to corner him following remarks on the irrigation scam, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar is currently executing a high-stakes “checkmate” strategy against the BJP in the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations, reported IANS.
While the two parties are allies in the state-level Mahayuti government, the upcoming civic elections across Maharashtra on January 15 have turned their relationship into a fierce local rivalry.
In a move that stunned Maharashtra's political spectrum, Ajit Pawar has bridged the gap with his uncle, Sharad Pawar, specifically for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal polls.
Despite the split between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar in 2023, the two NCP factions have formed a local alliance.
NCP (SP) and NCP launch joint manifesto
Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule on Saturday shared a dais to release a joint manifesto for Pune. By reuniting the “Pawar Parivar” votes, Ajit Pawar has ensured the NCP vote bank remains consolidated, preventing the BJP from benefiting from a split in Maratha and local loyalist votes, reported IANS.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has launched an aggressive “Alarm Campaign” (Ek Alarm, Paach Kaam), specifically targeting the BJP’s 2017-2022 tenure in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Ajit Pawar slams BJP
In an extremely shocking scenario, NCP chief Ajit Pawar has publicly accused the BJP of turning PCMC, which was once one of India’s richest civic bodies, into a debt-ridden organisation. Maharashtra Deputy CM also pointed out that under NCP rule, PCMC had fixed deposits of Rs 3,000 crore, which he claimed have been depleted due to mismanagement, reported IANS.
Known for his extremely tactical moves, Ajit Pawar has used phrases like “corrupt demon” and “demonic hunger” to describe the local BJP leadership, accusing them of inflating project costs for CCTV installations and Smart City initiatives to benefit party workers.
CM Fadnavis warns Ajit Pawar
On the contrary, BJP has reacted sharply, with state unit chief Ravindra Chavan and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warning that if they “open their mouths” about Ajit Pawar’s past (a reference to the irrigation scam), it would cause him “serious trouble”. As per IANS.
However, by joining hands with Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar has created a local “fortress” that the BJP is finding difficult to breach without risking the stability of the state government.
Experts say that Ajit Pawar is using the civic polls to reclaim his “King of Pune” title, signalling to the BJP that while they may be partners in Mumbai, Pune remains his undisputed home turf.
(With inputs from IANS)
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