Ajit's Mantra To Get NCP In ‘Pink’ Of Condition For Maharashtra Polls: Retain Old Faces, Woo Women | Exclusive

The political atmosphere in Maharashtra is heating up ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

While the Opposition Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA), also known as the INDI Alliance, has kicked off its poll preparations with initial alliance meetings, the ruling Mahayuti government, which underperformed in the recent general elections, is eager to improve its tally. Although official Mahayuti meetings on seat allocation are yet to be held, sources indicate the deal is likely to be finalised by September 15.

Within the Mahayuti coalition, all eyes are on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar, who currently has the support of 40 MLAs, but managed to secure only one of the four seats the party contested in the Lok Sabha polls.

According to sources, Ajit Pawar’s NCP has completed the first round of its internal survey for 40 seats. The survey suggests that most of the candidates will be retained, as many of these MLAs contested their first state assembly elections in 2019.

An NCP source indicated that any major change in ticket distribution seems unlikely. However, when discussions with alliance partners take place, a few seats may be exchanged or swapped. In Mumbai, the NCP is eyeing two seats – Anushakti Nagar and Bandra East. In Thane district, the NCP may demand one additional seat, Bhiwandi, along with their traditional seat of Kausa-Mumbra.

THE PINK CAMPAIGN TO WOO WOMEN VOTERS, Jansanman Yatra

The NCP, led by Pawar, faced criticism in the recent general elections after winning only one seat despite contesting from four traditional strongholds. These upcoming elections present a significant challenge for the NCP, as they seek to attract more voters.

On August 8, the party will kickstart the ‘Jansanman Yatra’ from Nashik district, covering every district in the state in a phased manner. During this yatra, Pawar will interact with the public. Though the stated aim of the yatra is to raise awareness about various schemes announced by the state government in the last budget, the party is looking to woo women voters and improve its image. Women voters played a crucial role as game-changers in states such as Madhya Pradesh during their state assembly polls.

Although NCP leaders assert that they don’t engage in politics just to win votes, the party believes that schemes such as free LPG gas cylinder initiative and the Rs 1,500 per month financial aid for eligible women will help them and the Mahayuti government retain power in the state.

The NCP has also started prominently featuring pink in their party functions, including on hoardings and banners.

Pawar has been frequently seen wearing a pink jacket while addressing party workers and supporters.

Will these efforts to attract the state’s women voters pay off for the NCP in the upcoming assembly polls, or will Ajit Pawar’s party face disappointment due to the ongoing split? Only time will tell.