Political Battle Lines Drawn for Western Maharashtra Zilla Parishad Polls
The stage is set for another intense political clash in western Maharashtra. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are preparing to lock horns for dominance in the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections. Voting for these crucial rural body polls is scheduled for February 5, with counting to follow on February 7.
Shifting Alliances Define the Electoral Landscape
Political equations are complex and vary significantly across the region. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) have announced they will contest the elections together in most areas. This combined force aims to challenge the BJP, which has been steadily expanding its influence in a region traditionally dominated by the Congress and the undivided NCP.
However, Kolhapur presents a notable exception. Here, the BJP and the NCP are likely to form an alliance. Together, they will take on the Congress party and its allies. This local pact underscores the fluid nature of political partnerships in these elections.
Elections have been announced for 12 Zilla Parishads, including five from western Maharashtra, along with several panchayat samitis. The filing of nominations commenced last Friday, marking the official start of the electoral process.
Historical Context and Recent Political Upheavals
The political map of western Maharashtra has undergone significant changes since the last ZP elections in 2017. Back then, the BJP managed to dislodge the Congress and the then-unified NCP in key districts like Sangli and Kolhapur. In Pune, Solapur, and Satara, the undivided NCP emerged as the single largest party, governing the rural bodies.
Subsequent years brought major splits. The Shiv Sena fractured into two factions. The NCP also experienced a division, leading to the creation of the NCP (SP). Concurrently, the BJP made substantial gains in the rural areas of these five districts during the 2019 and 2024 state assembly elections, altering the power dynamics.
Statements from Key Political Players
NCP (SP) state chief Shashikant Shinde, a leader from Satara, explained the alliance strategy. "We decided to join hands for the ZP and panchayat samiti polls not just for Pune, but for other Zilla Parishads as well," he stated. He added that local party workers would decide ticket allocation based on the electoral merit and winning potential of candidates from either side.
Within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, tensions are visible in Satara. The Shiv Sena is unlikely to partner with the BJP there. This stems from a recent public spat between Satara's guardian minister and Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai and BJP minister Jaykumar Gore. They clashed over a development package for Patan tehsil, which Gore proposed and Desai dismissed as unnecessary.
In Sangli, the Shiv Sena holds strength primarily in Khanapur tehsil, where it has MLA Suhas Babar. Its presence in the rest of the district remains scattered. Meanwhile, in Kolhapur, the BJP will lead the Mahayuti alliance, while the Congress will head the opposition Mahavikas Aghadi.
Congress MLC Satej Patil outlined his party's preparations. "We have started screening candidates. We are trying to take NCP(SP) along with us," he said. He mentioned plans to leave some panchayat samiti seats for the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and to ally with Raju Shetti's Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana. Patil expressed confidence, noting that party workers are motivated after the recent Kolhapur Municipal Corporation results, which they believe will benefit them in the ZP polls.
The Significance of Zilla Parishad Elections
Zilla Parishads are often called the mini-mantralays (mini-ministries) of rural development. They are critical because they channel funds for development projects directly to villages. Winning a ZP election is frequently seen as a vital stepping stone for political aspirants aiming to become Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Each district, excluding urban local bodies, is divided into electoral divisions. From each division, one member of the respective Zilla Parishad is elected. Additionally, two wards are formed per division to elect members of the tehsil panchayat samiti blocks.
Congress Issues Strategic Directives to District Units
The Congress party's state leadership has issued specific instructions to its district units regarding alliances. In a meeting of the parliamentary board held in Mumbai on Sunday, leaders discussed the party's performance in 29 municipal corporations, current political equations, and future plans.
A senior Congress member of the parliamentary board revealed the strategy. "We are giving preference to our MVA (Mahavikas Aghadi) partners, but since NCP (SP) is already in talks with Ajit Pawar's party, we told our units not to depend much on them for an alliance," the leader stated.
The committee also reviewed the party's performance in the recent municipal corporation polls, where it secured 324 seats. "Though the number is not to our satisfaction, it is encouraging. There will be no election in the state for the next four years. The committee feels that the party should strengthen its base without being overly dependent on allies," the member added, highlighting a push for greater self-reliance.
As nomination papers are filed and campaigns begin, western Maharashtra braces for a fiercely contested election that will test new alliances and define the rural political landscape for years to come.
