Ahead of polls, NCP chief tries to bring party leaders together

Sharad Pawar held two meetings in the last two days, holding discussions primarily over factionalism in five constituencies — Thane, Kalyan, Maval, Shirur and Satara.

Amid speculation that the 2019 general elections could be declared anytime soon, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has begun making efforts to unite warring leaders in the party and put up a united front before the polls. The veteran leader held two meetings in the last two days, holding discussions primarily over factionalism in five constituencies — Thane, Kalyan, Maval, Shirur and Satara — to ensure it does not affect the party’s poll prospects.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar(HT Photo)

NCP leaders also claimed that Pawar was convinced by Ajit Pawar, his nephew and senior NCP leader, to give a ticket to the latter’s son, Parth, from Maval constituency.

NCP leaders said that in the meeting held on Friday night at Pawar’s Mumbai residence Silver Oak, the party chief asked two senior leaders, Ganesh Naik and Jitendra Awhad, to sit together and resolve differences related to finalising candidates in Thane and Kalyan constituencies. Naik, a former minister and Awhad, a legislator from the Mumbra-Kalwa constituency, are not on good terms, said a senior NCP leader, requesting not to be named. “The party was insisting that Naik should contest the Lok Sabha polls from Thane constituency but he refused. Naik has differences with Awhad, who controls the party organisation in Thane city,” said the leader.

Another senior party leader said Pawar held discussions with Ajit for finalising the candidate in Maval constituency, which is spread over Pune and Raigad districts. The NCP is considering Ajit’s son Parth and former home minister, late RR Patil’s daughter Smita, as candidates. Ajit reportedly told the NCP chief that the local workers have been demanding for Parth’s candidature.

On Saturday, Pawar held another meeting at the party headquarters in Mumbai to resolve differences between two senior leaders from Satara — Udayanraje Bhonsle, sitting Member of Parliament from the seat and Shivendrasinh Bhonsle, MLA from Satara. Both the leaders were also called for a meeting along with other leaders from the constituency. Pawar asked them to forget all differences between them and work together to ensure the party’s prospects are not impacted, said a leader, who was present at the meeting.

Udayanraje said there are no differences left between him and Shivendrasinh. “Whatever differences were there, have been resolved now. We will work together for the party,” he said. NCP leaders also said it had been decided to give a ticket to actor Amol Kolhe from Shirur Lok Sabha constituency. Kolhe recently joined the NCP after quitting Shiv Sena.