NCP ship sinks ahead of MBMC polls as mass exodus continues
Credited with crowning its first corporator in the state, first municipal council president, first mayor in the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) and its first legislator from the twin-cities, the local NCP unit can now be described as a sinking ship as its passengers continue to desert it ahead of the civic polls.
Already facing a spate of desertions, the exodus of remnants led by recently appointed city chief, Jayant Patil, who migrated into the Congress has spelt fresh trouble for the NCP which has been seated in the Opposition for the past two years and is on virtual life support.
Pollsters had already sounded the death knell for the party after former legislator and local NCP strongman Gilbert Mendonca jumped into the Shiv Sena bandwagon along with his supporters and municipal corporators last month.
Hoping to stitch a pre-poll alliance with the Congress and like-minded secular parties, the decimated NCP is now banking on the leadership of former MP Sanjeev Naik, who seems unwilling to bite the bullet just yet.
However, the local Congress unit which was earlier eager to tie up with its traditional ally is now weighing other options.
Congress district president, Anil Sawant said, “Moving ahead with the sole agenda of development, our party is getting stronger. Moreover, the recent induction of a large section of NCP followers has further enhanced our winning prospects. Now, who is there in the NCP? One of the biggest failures for the NCP has also been its inability to create a space for itself among the young voters.”