NCP goes into a huddle to assess loss in strongholds

After its poor performance in the municipal corporation and zilla parishad (district council) elections, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders have decided they need to introspect why the party lost and have called for meetings to discuss its current situation.

On March 3, the party will hold a core committee meeting. The state executive committee meet and meeting of all district presidents of the state will be held on March 4. All three meetings will be headed by party chief Sharad Pawar. The outcome of the civic and district polls has come as a warning bell to the NCP, as the party faced a rout in its strongholds. Party spokesperson Nawab Malik said an assessment of the party’s performance in the elections and the state’s political situation in the aftermath of the civic polls will be discussed. The development assumes significance as the buzz in political circles is the Congress and NCP will move a no-confidence motion in

the budget session of the state legislature, with the help of the Sena. The move will be an attempt to topple the Fadnavis-led BJP government. Pawar may also discuss whether to support Sena in BMC in case it chooses not to ally with BJP. NCP president on Sunday hinted his party may opt for Sena over BJP for smooth functioning of BMC. “Only two seats separate the BJP from Sena. However, the Sena has managed to increase its tally by garnering the support of independents. The NCP is in

favour of the civic body function ing smoothly. The party’s leaders will take a call if Sena asks for support,” Pawar said in Nanded.

The party’s state president Sunil Tatkare on Thursday said they will decidee at the party meet. The NCP, known for its strong base in western Maha rashtra, was left red-faced after citizens chose its rivals in the state’s urban and rural areas. It NCP dropped from the top slot to the second position in the zilla parishad elections.