Pune: BJP-NCP Rift Resurfaces In Wadgaonsheri Ahead Of Assembly Polls
Pune: BJP-NCP Rift Resurfaces In Wadgaonsheri Ahead Of Assembly Polls
Tensions have reignited between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Pune’s Wadgaonsheri area, as the Maharashtra assembly elections draw closer. The latest incident occurred on Monday when BJP leaders’ photographs were noticeably absent from the flexes put up by NCP leaders during Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s visit to the constituency. Pawar was there to inaugurate the GST Bhavan at Yerawada and announce several new projects totaling ₹306 crore.
The disagreement highlights the ongoing friction within the Mahayuti alliance, particularly between the sitting NCP MLA Sunil Tingre and BJP’s Jagdish Mulik, who is keen to contest the forthcoming elections from Wadgaonsheri. Mulik expressed his displeasure, stating, “The NCP seems to have forgotten to include photographs of BJP leaders on banners and flexes put up at the program.” This omission has sparked a fresh round of controversy within the alliance.
The BJP and NCP have been at odds over the assembly seat for some time, and this latest incident has only added fuel to the fire. Pune district guardian minister Ajit Pawar attempted to calm the situation by intervening and emphasizing that the event was merely a foundation stone-laying ceremony. “For the inauguration of these projects, all leaders, including the chief minister and deputy chief ministers, will be invited. We have agreed to remain present only at events related to our respective ministries,” said Pawar, seeking to downplay the significance of the omission.
Mulik, however, was not convinced, accusing the NCP of disregarding alliance protocols. He argued, “While BJP and Shiv Sena adhere to Mahayuti alliance protocols, the sitting NCP MLA clearly does not. As it is a government program, images of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should have been featured in banners and flexes.”
Sunil Tingre, the current NCP MLA for Wadgaonsheri, responded by clarifying that the omission was unintentional and not meant to slight any alliance leaders to a news agency. “While it was a government event, we as party workers put up flexes at some places. At no point do we intend to disrespect leaders of Mahayuti,” said Tingre, seeking to smooth over the rift.
As the assembly elections approach, the incident highlights the fragile nature of the alliance between the BJP and NCP in Pune, with both parties vying for influence in key constituencies like Wadgaonsheri.
