NCP Establishes "No BJP" Alliance Strategy for Maharashtra Civic Elections

As Maharashtra prepares for its first phase of long-delayed civic elections on December 2, opposition parties have begun formulating their electoral strategies.

Despite showing unity on issues such as Marathi identity, farmers' protests, and the 'vote chori' campaign, translating this solidarity into effective seat-sharing arrangements remains challenging.

Sources indicate that NCP (Sharad Pawar) leadership has directed its district units to determine local alliances based on ground realities, with one firm restriction: no coalitions with BJP in municipal or zilla parishad elections.

The decision whether to collaborate with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena or Ajit Pawar's NCP faction has been delegated to local leaders, who will decide based on constituency-specific dynamics.

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule emphasized that the party's primary preference is to contest as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition. "We want to fight together. Local reports are being sought, and we are receiving many suggestions. Everything will be clear in eight days," she stated, noting that grassroots sentiment within the party favors maintaining an exclusive MVA approach.

"If anyone wishes to contest independently before a decision is reached, we will rely on our own strength," said Shashikant Shinde, the state party president, suggesting that while NCP (SP) remains committed to MVA unity, it is prepared to contest independently when necessary.

The Congress party has reportedly excluded any possibility of an alliance with Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Though Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) have demonstrated willingness to work with MNS, even sharing platforms during recent protests, Congress maintains its reservations.

Congress believes that collaborating with MNS could send contradictory signals ahead of elections in states like Bihar, given MNS's historically aggressive stance toward north Indians. "Local polls address local issues, but alliances must remain within the INDIA bloc," stated Congress leader Sachin Sawant.