MUMBAI: Supriya Sule, Lok Sabha MP and daughter of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar, will be heading the party’s campaign, for the first time, in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
The campaign kicked off on Tuesday with a women convention in central Mumbai. In the next two days, the NCP leader will be addressing 15 rallies and inaugurating campaign offices of various candidates across the city. With 14 corporators in the BMC, the NCP is not a serious threat to the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance. However, the party has taken a lead in the campaign by announcing its first list of 45 candidates.
Ms. Sule questioned the negotiations between the BJP and the Sena. “On one hand you level allegations of corruption on the other party and on the other, you sit down with them for negotiations. Is this what you call party with a difference?”
“We are contesting the elections on development agenda. I live in Mumbai and there are issues of roads and water. I am confused as the party like the BJP, which claims to have unearthed a road scam of the Sena, is willing to tie up with the very same party. What is so different with this party?” asked Ms. Sule.
While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will be the face of the BJP’s campaign, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will lead the charge. The Congress has handed over the responsibility to party’s city head Sanjay Nirupam.
Commenting on the Congress’s decision to not form an alliance with the NCP, Ms. Sule said, “Their decision to not align with us for the Mumbai civic polls is due to short-term thinking. The decision has been taken without giving any thought. The NCP is always categorical that an alliance is beneficial to both parties, but the Congress was not forthcoming.”
CM, Thackeray to continue talks
A day after leaders of the Shiv Sena and the BJP initiated talks for a possible alliance in the BMC polls, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a telephonic conversation on Tuesday. According to Sena sources, both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the discussions and decided to continue the talks. “The second round of talks will be held on Wednesday,” said a Sena leader.
