By Tejas Navale
Pune, November 28, 2024: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election results declared on November 23 handed the Mahayuti coalition a decisive majority, marking a significant victory for the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This triumph holds special significance for the party, which was facing an existential crisis before the state assembly election. In the Lok Sabha elections that followed the split in the party, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP managed to win only one seat in Maharashtra, raising questions about its future.
However, in the assembly polls, Ajit Pawar’s NCP defied all expectations by securing 42 seats, while its rival faction, led by Sharad Pawar, was reduced to just 10. The victory has reinvigorated the party leadership, paving the way for a more ambitious roadmap. Buoyed by the results, the party declared its intent to go nationwide and reclaim its status as a national party.
In a press conference held in Delhi today, Ajit Pawar, the NCP’s National President, outlined the party’s plans for expansion. He announced that the NCP would contest the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections as a first step toward achieving its national aspirations. Speaking at the event, Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel emphasised the party’s resolve to expand its footprint.
“We have received recognition by the ECI in three states. Now, we do not want to stop here. The Delhi elections will be our first step in making the NCP a strong and successful national party,” Patel said.
Patel also confirmed that Virendra Singh would lead the party’s campaign in Delhi. Expressing confidence, he added, “With the determination of our activists and under the leadership of Virendra Singh, I am confident that we will make a mark in Delhi and win seats. This will bring us closer to regaining the national party status we lost.”
The NCP is currently recognized in Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Jharkhand. However, the party lost its national party status a few years ago after failing to meet the Election Commission’s criteria. The latest electoral success has sparked optimism within Ajit Pawar’s faction about reclaiming this recognition.
Despite its plans for expansion, questions remain about the NCP’s strategy for the Delhi elections. As a member of the NDA coalition, it is yet to be determined whether the party will contest seats independently or align with the BJP in Delhi.
