26th foundation function of NCP: Ajit Pawar asks party workers to gear up for civic polls
Refraining from any direct criticism or remark on Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Tuesday urged party workers to put in all efforts to ensure victory in the upcoming civic elections.
'Many of our leaders are founder members of the NCP. It has grown since its formation in 1999. However, the party has not got a majority in elections to form a government. Alliances had to be formed and the NCP joined the NDA,' said Pawar at the 26th foundation function of the NCP.
He said the NCP joined hands with the Shiv Sena in 2019 and it indicates adjustment has to be made at times to be in power. 'Though we have joined the NDA we have not given up our ideology of secularism. There are many political parties who believe in secularism and have been part of the NDA,' Pawar said.
Earlier, the NCP passed two resolutions over the success of Operation Sindoor and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his impressive performance in the last 11 years by leading the NDA-led Centre.
The NCP chief did not say anything on speculations over merger of the two NCPs nor criticised the opposition NCP (SP). 'We want to resolve public issues. The country is developing, and the state is also developing. I want to assure that there will be no compromise on the secular fabric of the party. Our ideology of secularism and creating progressive society continues. We have been against extremism and will continue to do so,' he said, justifying the party's joining the NDA on development agenda.
The NCP received a setback in the Lok Sabha elections but later worked hard for the Assembly elections resulting in the 'ladki bahin' scheme, said Pawar, adding, 'I will not let the scheme to be closed.'
The NCP chief said the civic polls are only a few months away. 'The BMC election will be wardwise while other municipal corporations will likely have a four-ward electoral panel system for civic polls. We should be fully prepared for it. NCP ministers will be asked to hold election rallies per week in municipal corporations to activate party workers. The pre-poll alliance for civic elections will be as per the stand of local party units,' he said.
'Real political fight coming now with elections to 28 municipal corporations, 25 zila parishad or municipal councils and 285 panchayat samiti. So work hard for civic polls,' said Pawar, urging party workers to set a target of enrolling one crore new members for the party.
Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast.
Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste.
Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter.
Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
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