Sharad Pawar Rejuvenates NCP as Aspirants Flock for Candidacy

Sharad Pawar, the veteran leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has infused new life into his party, drawing a significant number of aspirants keen on contesting the forthcoming assembly elections. Reports indicate that in the span of four days, Pawar conducted interviews for 1,280 potential candidates from across Maharashtra.

Five years back, the NCP faced a major setback as a string of high-profile leaders defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This exodus sparked debates about the very survival of the NCP. However, the current scenario is starkly different with the party now witnessing a reverse trend of political influx.

According to reports from local sources, the NCP received 1,680 applications from prospective candidates eager to run in various assembly constituencies in the state. Of these, 1,280 interviews have already been conducted in Pune by Pawar himself, covering regions such as Vidarbha, Marathwada, Western Maharashtra, and Northern Maharashtra. Interviews for the remaining aspirants from the Mumbai and Konkan divisions are set to follow.

In 2019, the party suffered a major blow as numerous leaders, including Udayanraje Bhosale and Shivendra Raje Bhosale, departed amidst the BJP’s landslide Lok Sabha election victory. This prompted a existential crisis for the NCP; however, Pawar played a crucial role in forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, thereby stabilizing the situation temporarily.

Despite subsequent challenges, including the departure of key figures like Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal, Pawar led the NCP to a commendable performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, securing eight seats in Maharashtra. This achievement has bolstered the party’s appeal among aspirants.

In Pune, the interviews took place at the Nisarg Mangal office, attended by key NCP figures including Supriya Sule and Dr. Alok Deosthale. Particular attention was given to the Vadgaon Sheri constituency, a traditional stronghold of the party, now likely to be contested under Pawar’s leadership after BJP’s Bapu Pathare joined their ranks.

The speculation around candidacy in the Pune region remains high, with numerous former municipal councilors vying for candidacy. The final decision hinges on the seat-sharing arrangement within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, where the NCP is expected to contest at least three constituencies, including Khadakwasla and Hadapsar.