Pune: Rohit Pawar Announces NCP’s Decision to Contest Only Ten Seats in Upcoming Lok Sabha Elections
Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri Chinchwad, 7th March 2024: NCP’s Sharad Chandra Pawar faction is gaining more seats within the Mahavikas Aghadi coalition. Despite this, Rohit Pawar, the leader of the NCP Sharad Chandra Pawar party and MLA for Karjat-Jamkhed, announced that they will contest only ten seats. He emphasized MP Supriya Sule’s positive standing in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency.
Since the party split, Rohit Pawar’s visits to Pimpri-Chinchwad city have risen. During a meeting with activists in Chinchwad, Pawar assured reporters that the Mahavikas Aghadi would present a united front in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Seat allocation will be finalized soon, and despite the expectation of gaining more seats, Sharad Pawar has decided to contest on just 10 seats.
Initially, after the party split, there were indications that MP Supriya Sule might face competition in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency. However, the discussion of Sunetra Pawar, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as an opposing candidate created a positive atmosphere for Sule. The Khadakwasla Assembly Constituency is expected to receive substantial support. Pawar expressed confidence in the Mahavikas Aghadi’s strong standing in various constituencies, including Ahmednagar and Shirur. Additionally, he predicted a setback for the BJP in Maharashtra during the Lok Sabha elections.
Rohit Pawar conveyed that Ajit Pawar’s NCP is expected to secure only four seats in the Mahayuti, emphasizing that Mahayuti will collaborate for the Lok Sabha elections but won’t contest the state assembly elections jointly. If Ajit Pawar decides to run separately, he is predicted to claim 20 to 22 seats, while the remaining MLAs would be fielded under the lotus symbol. Rohit Pawar said that in the scenario where they contest the elections together, only 7 to 8 MLAs, Ajit Pawar included, would likely secure seats in the Legislative Assembly. This outcome, he noted, would contribute to a reduction in Pawar’s majority.
Expressing caution about the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, Rohit mentioned that it won’t be an easy battle for several, including Cooperation Minister Dilip Walse Patil. He disclosed his decision not to take on party organizational responsibilities immediately, indicating that changes would follow after the Lok Sabha elections. Currently, he is focused on facilitating booth activities and guiding office bearers responsibly. Rohit pledged to refrain from making extensive speeches during the election and stressed that those who left the party should not be readmitted.
Regarding Ajit Pawar, Rohit asserted that while the respect for him will persist, there is opposition to his altered role. He vowed to express dissent against Ajit Pawar’s stance while maintaining a respectful tone, affirming his commitment to speaking out against decisions he disagrees with.
