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NCP arm-twists Cong for major civic posts

Pawar invites applications for mayor, deputy mayor posts.

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Following state Congress chief Manikrao Thackeray’s apparent admission and resignation to the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) bully tactics in Pune, the latter seems to take it further by inviting applications for the posts, including mayor, deputy mayor and chairman of the standing committee, of the newly elected body of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Thackeray had recently stated that the city Congress would be happy with the posts the NCP would be giving to the party in the PMC.

Political pundits believe it as a signal by the deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar to the city Congress “of the NCP’s numerical superiority in the city”.

Post the February elections, the NCP had bagged 52 seats, while the Congress won 26 seats in the newly elected PMC. Earlier, Thackeray and Pawar had agreed for a post-poll alliance to share the important positions in the civic body.

According to the party leaders, the talks between both the parties had faced initial hurdles as the NCP was firm on keeping most of the plumb posts. Citing their numerical strength, other than the post of mayor, the NCP also wanted to keep the office of standing committee chairman and city improvement committee.

The Congress had expected the posts of deputy mayor and chairman of standing committee to be headed on a rotation basis.
A senior city Congress leader told DNA that the latest move by the NCP to invite applications is a clear arm-twisting sign by the party.

“By inviting applications, the party is giving clear signals that if need be, it would be ready to explore other options in the city,” the leader said.

Congress leaders are hopeful that an amicable solution would soon emerge that would allow the parties to work in coalition in the PMC.

The last date for receiving applications for the post of mayor and deputy mayor is March 8, and the election for the post would be held on March 15. Pawar is expected to finalise the names on March 8 itself.

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