Rival NCP Factions Join Hands Against BJP In Kolhapur

Mumbai: In the politics of strange bedfellows, both factions of the NCP decided to come together to fight against the BJP in Chandgad Nagar Panchayat in Kolhapur district. The move is expected to change the political equations in Maharashtra ahead of crucial municipal elections.

Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP have joined hands to form a front called ‘Rajarshi Shahu Vikas Aghadi’ (RSVA) to contest the Chandgad Nagar Panchayat and Zilla Parishad elections. RSVA will contest against BJP led by Chandgad MLA Shivaji Patil.

While Ajit Pawar’s NCP is part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition led by the BJP in the state, the NCP (SP) is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.

Senior minister Hasan Mushrif from the Ajit Pawar faction, who took the initiative to bring both NCP factions together, made the official announcement of the alliance on Monday.

Mushrif, the state’s pharmaceutical education minister, said, “If the BJP does not even secure the NCP in the local elections, I cannot allow our party to be left alone in the region. It has become imperative for us to take some decisions. Therefore, we have decided to form an alliance with the NCP (SP).”

Musharif played a key role in bringing together the warring factions of former NCP MLA Rajesh Patil and NCP (SP) leader Manda Babhulkar. He even said that some Congress leaders were also willing to support the alliance.

According to political observers, the Panchayat elections gave Rajesh Patil and Babhulkar an opportunity to settle scores with Shivaji Patil. In last year’s Vidhan Sabha elections, both Rajesh Patil and Manda Babhulkar had contested against each other from Chandgad constituency. However, they were defeated by Shivaji Patil, who contested as the rebel candidate of the BJP.

A few days ago, a local leader of NCP’s Sharad Pawar faction hinted that both NCP factions may join forces.

Meanwhile, former NCP MP Sameer Bhujbal met Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan in Nashik on Monday. Sources said the meeting was part of ongoing talks between the ruling BJP and NCP to explore seat sharing and coordination ahead of local self-government elections scheduled next month.