Discontent Within NCP as BJP Proposes Seat-Sharing Terms for Mumbai Lok Sabha Elections
Mumbai, 29th March 2024: In Mumbai, reports indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made an offer of six seats to the NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in their seat-sharing agreement. However, this offer comes with conditions – the BJP proposes to field its candidates on two seats under the NCP’s election symbol, while one candidate will run under the BJP’s party symbol. This proposition has caused discontent within the NCP, leading to unresolved discussions on seat allocation within the Mahayuti alliance.
Ajit Pawar Aims for Nine Seats
The NCP, under Ajit Pawar’s leadership, had anticipated contesting on at least nine Lok Sabha seats. However, the party is hesitant to accept the BJP’s terms, leading to delays in announcing candidates, according to reports quoting NCP leaders.
BJP’s Stipulations for NCP’s Seats
The BJP has designated Baramati, Raigad, Shirur, Parbhani, Satara, and Osmanabad constituencies for the NCP. Yet, for Satara and Osmanabad, the BJP insists on fielding its candidates – Udayanraje Bhosale and former IAS officer Pravin Pardeshi, respectively – to secure additional support.
While Parbhani falls under the NCP’s quota, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) chief Mahadev Jankar, a coalition partner, will contest independently under his party symbol.
Shiv Sena’s Shift on Baramati
In a significant turn of events, former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Vijay Shivtare, who had earlier expressed intentions to contest independently from the Baramati constituency, held a late-night meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Shivtare and Shinde discussed various issues concerning Purandar taluka and the local populace’s challenges. The talks were described as constructive, with Shinde addressing Shivtare’s concerns attentively. Shivtare is expected to unveil his plans in an upcoming press conference.
This meeting followed a stern warning from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP to the ruling Mahayuti alliance, suggesting a potential withdrawal unless the Shiv Sena took action against Shivtare for his repeated verbal attacks on Pawar. NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil condemned Shivtare’s derogatory remarks towards the Deputy CM, deeming them highly objectionable.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Schedule
Regarding the Lok Sabha elections’ schedule, Maharashtra will hold polls across five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. Results are expected to be announced on June 4. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, will cover 543 constituencies nationwide.
