In a significant political development, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has publicly called for the faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to merge back with the party headed by his uncle, veteran leader Sharad Pawar. Raut made this appeal on Saturday, citing the recent electoral alliance between the two rival NCP groups for the upcoming civic body elections in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
A Call for Reunion Amidst Alliance Rift
Raut's statement comes directly after Ajit Pawar, on Friday, levelled serious allegations of large-scale corruption within the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), which was under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule from 2017 to 2022. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader questioned the very foundation of the Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP—given the public accusations of corruption now being traded between the BJP and Ajit Pawar's camp.
"Then why are you in the government? He (Ajit Pawar) should come back to Sharad Pawar," Raut asserted while speaking to reporters. He emphasized that since both NCP factions have decided to contest the January 15 Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic polls together, the logical next step would be a full political merger. "Now that you have forged an alliance in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, Ajit Pawar should leave the BJP-led government, and merge (the NCP) with the original NCP (SP)," Raut added.
The Backdrop of Accusations and Defiance
The political landscape was charged after Ajit Pawar's stark criticism of the PCMC's financial health. He claimed that the corporation, once hailed as the richest in Asia and award-winning during the NCP's tenure, had been "plagued by corruption for the last nine years and pushed into debt." This attack followed closely on the heels of Union Minister and BJP leader Murlidhar Mohol criticizing the NCP for distributing tickets to candidates with criminal backgrounds for the civic elections.
In a defiant response to Mohol's criticism, Ajit Pawar defended his party's candidate selection. He drew a parallel with his own legal battles, referencing the allegations of a ₹70,000 crore irrigation scam made against him. "Today, I am in power alongside those who made those allegations. Can a person be labelled guilty even before it is proved?" he questioned, challenging the notion of pre-judgment.
Shifting Political Directions and Veiled Swipes
Sanjay Raut interpreted Ajit Pawar's strong remarks against the BJP's past governance as a potential shift in his political stance. "It seems Ajit Pawar's direction has changed. If this is the case, then he should abandon the BJP," Raut observed. The NCP split occurred in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar, along with a group of MLAs, joined the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) government. The Election Commission later recognized his group as the official NCP, awarding it the party's original 'clock' symbol.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Ajit Pawar also took a veiled dig at Union Minister Mohol, alluding to absconding Pune gangster Nilesh Ghaywal. "Who helped a person from Pune escape?" the Deputy Chief Minister asked, without providing further details. The PCMC is currently under a state-appointed administrator and is set for polls on January 15, alongside 28 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra.
The public sparring and Raut's merger appeal highlight the ongoing turbulence within Maharashtra's ruling coalition, setting the stage for a highly charged civic election season and potential realignments in the state's political future.
