The New Indian Express News

All candidates must fight Pune civic polls on familiar clock symbol, Ajit tells Sharad Pawar faction

MUMBAI: Talks between the NCP (SP) and the Ajit Pawar-led ruling NCP over an alliance for the next months Pune civic polls have hit a roadblock, with the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister not agreeing to the Sharad Pawar-led partys proposal for contesting the elections on their respective symbols. According to a senior NCP (SP) leader, Ajit spoke to them for an alliance, and later he also sought the list of candidates for the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation elections. We were shocked that after taking the list of our candidates, he asked us to contest on his partys clock symbol. He even poached some of the aspirants when we were seriously busy in seat-sharing talks. In this case, how can it be called an alliance? If our people get elected on Ajit Pawars party symbol, how will they remain our elected members? They will be officially part of Ajits NCP, the senior NCP (SP) leader said, requesting anonymity. He said top party leaders are against Ajits strategy as it will shrink the NCP (SP)s space in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad region. We wanted to conclude seat sharing, but Ajit Pawar continued to postpone the official announcement on seats for some reason or the other. He also poached several of our possible candidates. He assured them of funds and victory. Now, we are facing a crunch of candidates. We cannot trust Ajit Pawar anymore, said another NCP (SP) leader from Pune, adding that NCP SP city president Prashant Jagtap resigned and joined the Congress in protest. Another leader said Ajits stand has raised suspicion about his intention for an alliance. Our leaders have called a meeting in Mumbai where the decision on an alliance with Ajits NCP will be taken. We should contest as part of MVA, he said on the condition of anonymity. Cracks appear ahead of high-stakes elections According to an NCP(SP) leader, Ajit spoke to them for an alliance, and later he also sought the list of candidates for the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation elections. We were shocked that he asked us to contest on his partys clock symbol, he said.