Slow and steady wins race

NCP can be described as the ‘tortoise’ in the state politics as it has been showing constant and a definite positive growth. Elections to 10 municipal corporations are no exception. Despite the fact that it could not gain much in Mumbai, NCP’s gains in Pune, consolidation in Pimpri-Chinchwad and the impressive performance in Thane, Nashik, and Amravati is a clear indication that the party can no longer be labelled as the party that has its base only in rural parts.

Most spectacular performance of the party has come from Pune where for the first time, the NCP has emerged as the single largest party by leaving the Congress behind it. Till now, Pune was ruled by the Congress and its unquestioned leader was party MP Suresh Kalmadi.

Because NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar made Pune election a prestige issue and was camping in Pune, the party not only snatched the leading position from Congress, but also took decisive lead. 

Giving the credit of the success to his uncle, humble Ajit Pawar told the media that people of Pune have shown faith in Sharad Pawar’s leadership, vision and political ability and therefore preferred the NCP to Congress and other parties.