In a significant political development, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) working president Supriya Sule has indicated that a pre-poll alliance between her party and the rival NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar is a strong possibility for the upcoming municipal elections in Maharashtra. Speaking to reporters in Pune on Thursday, Sule drew parallels from political history to suggest that past animosities need not be a barrier to future partnerships.
Historical Precedents Override Past Differences
Sule invoked the 1999 split in the Congress party, which led to the formation of the original, undivided Nationalist Congress Party by her father, Sharad Pawar. She recalled that despite Pawar's expulsion by Sonia Gandhi and the subsequent bitter criticism from both sides, the two leaders eventually came together. Sonia Gandhi later visited Pawar's residence with an alliance proposal, leading to a coalition government in Maharashtra.
"Sharp political differences in the past have not prevented alliances," Sule asserted, addressing concerns about how workers from the two now-separate NCP factions would collaborate after years of public criticism. She explained that similar situations have played out before, where workers who once tried to end each other's political careers eventually realigned for a larger goal.
Local Alliances Distinct from State Partnerships
The MP clarified that alliances at the municipal level can operate independently of state-level partnerships. She pointed out that even when the Congress and the undivided NCP were in power together in Maharashtra for nearly 18 years, they frequently contested local body elections separately. "Such situations are common in politics. There are many examples," she noted, suggesting that a civic poll pact would not necessarily contradict their current opposition stance at the state level.
The push for an alliance has gained momentum after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite being part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP at the state level, would not partner with them for the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation elections.
Leadership to Ensure Worker Interests, Talks Ongoing
On the crucial question of managing party cadres, Supriya Sule expressed confidence in the leadership's ability to safeguard workers' interests. She highlighted Sharad Pawar's six-decade-long political career, stating that "party workers, not power, have always been at the centre of his politics." She emphasized his personal connection with the cadre, noting he knows every worker by name.
Sule also drew a parallel with the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), where Shiv Sena's founder Balasaheb Thackeray and Sharad Pawar were once fierce critics, yet their successors Uddhav Thackeray and Pawar allied "in the interest of Maharashtra." She reiterated that criticism is an inherent part of political life.
Regarding the current negotiations, Sule confirmed that discussions for a potential alliance in several municipal corporations across the state are underway. Senior leaders Jayant Patil and Shashikant Shinde from the NCP(SP) side are leading the talks. However, she clarified that no final proposal has been placed before the party leadership yet. "Senior leaders from both sides are holding discussions, but we are still awaiting a final proposal," she concluded.
