NCP to start preparations for Maharashtra elections

Sunil Tatkare

The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Saturday said it would start preparations for the Maharashtra elections even before the Lok Sabha elections get over.

Addressing a press conference, its state unit president Sunil Tatkare said the party is taking steps to strengthen the organisation and make it more robust across the state by conducting district-wise reviews. He also claimed that several leaders from other parties will join the NCP on Monday.

The NCP is part of the ruling Mahayuti coalition in the state along with BJP and Shiv Sena.

"The party has decided to work on the principle of 'Ekach Laksh, Vidhansabha Shetra'. Therefore, without waiting for the results of the Lok Sabha elections on June 4, the NCP is taking steps to strengthen the organization and make it more robust across the state by conducting district-wise reviews," Tatkare said.

"An important meeting of NCP will be held at Garware Club House on May 27 from 11 am to 1 pm. The meeting will be attended by national leader Ajit Pawar, national working president MP Praful Patel, senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal, ministers, MLAs, Lok Sabha candidates of the party and all district presidents," he added.

Tatkare mentioned that while there is a review meeting scheduled for May 27, they will be introducing various programs to the organisation. He also noted that June 10 marks the foundation day of the party, and a discussion will be held within the core committee to prepare and plan programs in Mumbai and Delhi.

"In this meeting, many leaders from both Maharashtra and other states will publicly join the Nationalist Congress Party. The leader joining the NCP will significantly alter the political landscape of the country and the state," said Tatkare.

He further said that a meeting of the coordination committee of the Mahayuti will be convened soon after discussing with the Maharashtra Chief Minister and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.

"With the Maharashtra elections in mind and to facilitate further planning, the NCP is aiming to be more proactive, working from the village level to the state level. The party will be strengthened both at the state and national levels after the leaders join on Monday, which will significantly impact the upcoming elections," said Tatkare.

He said that the state recorded an average voter turnout of 60 percent. "Voters enthusiastically came out to cast their votes even in the scorching sun. The Mahayuti coalition aimed to highlight national issues and present a national perspective for the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Union leaders and state leaders of the alliance, held campaign meetings across the state. We emphasized that this election was crucial for the Parliament of the country and discussed national issues that determine the future of the nation. In contrast, the opposition resorted to low-level politics, focusing on local issues. Overall, the language used by the opposition during the campaign did not align with Maharashtra's culture and ideology," he added.

Tatkare expressed confidence that the Mahayuti will achieve significant success in the Lok Sabha elections in the state. "The election battles were fierce, but the final victory will be ours. I attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meetings in Kalyan and Mumbai, which received an overwhelming response from the people. Now, everyone's eyes are on the results on June 4. The only discussion across the state is about what will happen in the country, the state, and specifically in the Marathwada, Vidarbha, West Maharashtra, Mumbai, and Konkan assembly constituencies. On this occasion, Sunil Tatkare expressed his belief that the Mahayuti will earn the people's votes," he said.

Asked about the demand of the rival NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) for a reelection in Beed Lok Sabha constituency, Tatkare said the demand was being raised two weeks after the polling was held.

"The opposition is alleging that our defeat in the elections is imminent, but these are baseless claims and an indirect admission of their declining voter base. Therefore, I don't think we need to take what the opposition says very seriously. Recently, people with little else to do have been recording and broadcasting videos from anywhere, creating the false impression that they understand the real situation. It's been a fortnight since polls were held in Beed, yet a re-poll is being demanded. We are in a democracy, and anyone can make demands, but there is no basis for this one. When elections are conducted democratically, any demand for a re-poll should be made immediately - on the evening of the election or the next day - not weeks later," he said.

"They are calling for a re-poll after 15-20 days. This is because they know they are going to be defeated," Tatkare said.