NCP Faces Setback as BJP Secures Pune Graduates Seat
NCP leaders express discontent over losing the Pune Graduates seat to BJP, highlighting internal party tensions.
NCP's Praful Patel claims party workers are demoralized after losing the Pune Graduates seat to BJP.
Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare calls the loss a 'collective failure' of the party.
Polling for the legislative council elections is set for October 23, with results on October 27.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is grappling with internal dissent following the allocation of the Pune Graduates seat to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming legislative council elections. NCP leader Praful Patel expressed concerns on October 7, stating that party workers across five districts within the Pune Graduates Constituency feel demoralized by this decision. He emphasized that the seat, previously held by the NCP, was a significant loss for the party.
Patel's comments came shortly after Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare described the failure to retain the seat as a 'collective failure' of the party. The NCP had previously won this seat under its symbol in the last election, making the current situation particularly disheartening for its members. Patel noted that the decision to allocate the seat to the BJP was made during a meeting involving Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.
Despite the setback, Patel stated that the NCP would contest the seat as part of the Mahayuti alliance. However, sources within the NCP indicated that there was a lack of consultation with senior party leaders before the discussions with Fadnavis took place. This has raised concerns about the decision-making process within the party, particularly as examples were cited of other leaders, such as Shinde, who managed to secure tickets for their candidates despite pressure from the BJP.
The implications of this loss extend beyond internal party dynamics. The Pune Graduates constituency was previously won by NCP candidate Arun Lad, whose son has since joined the BJP and expressed interest in contesting the seat. The BJP has fielded Dr. Smita Jadhav, further complicating the NCP's position in this election. As the elections approach, the NCP faces the challenge of rallying its base and addressing the discontent among its workers.
Looking ahead, the biennial elections for five legislative council seats, including three Graduates’ and two Teachers’ constituencies, are scheduled for October 23, with the counting of votes set for October 27. Registered graduates and teachers from the respective divisions will participate in these elections, making it crucial for the NCP to regain its footing and address the concerns of its cadre in the lead-up to the polls.
