Pune zilla parishad win is people’s tribute to Ajitdada, say Pawar family, NCP loyalists

PUNE: Members of the Pawar family and NCP politicians on Monday described the zilla parishad and panchayat samiti election results as a tribute to late Ajit Pawar.

This was the first election NCP contested after Ajit Pawar's sudden demise in a plane crash in Baramati on Jan 28. While BJP led the overall tally with 225 ZP seats, NCP won 165 across the 12 districts that went to the polls on Feb 7.


Rohit Pawar, NCP (SP) MLA and Ajit Pawar' nephew, said in a statement that the people paid tribute to Ajitdada by ensuring the party's victory in the ZP polls in Pune and Sangli districts, as well as in 33 panchayat samitis across the state. "Had he been with us, the success would have been even greater," he stated.

Agriculture minister and NCP member from Indapur, Dattatray Bharne said the party's performance was the result of Ajit Pawar personally finalising candidates and selecting strong contenders. "He should have been with us to witness this success," Bharne said.

CM Devendra Fadnavis said BJP saw a significant rise in its seat tally compared to the 2017 elections, calling the results a public endorsement of the development work undertaken by Mahayuti govt.

He said the results established BJP as the number one party in both urban and rural areas, dismissing earlier perceptions that it was confined to urban or semi-urban areas. "It has become clear that Mahayuti will come to power in all 12 ZPs and 105 of the 125 panchayat samitis in the state. BJP emerged as the single largest party in seven ZPs, while NCP secured a majority in one and Shiv Sena in two. In the remaining two ZPs, including Latur and Kolhapur, where we contested as allies, the alliance won the majority of seats," Fadnavis told reporters.

Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal said: "We are set to come to power in two ZPs and will share power in two others."

PM on Maharashtra win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded the ruling alliance's win in Maharashtra zilla parishad polls following its big success in municipal corporation and municipal council elections. The PM said the outcome was clear that people across rural and urban Maharashtra wanted good governance and an alliance that worked in the spirit of the state's glorious culture.

"Once again, Maharashtra blesses BJP and Mahayuti! My compliments to every worker of the Mahayuti for working tirelessly on the ground and elaborating on the solid track record of the Maharashtra Government as well as NDA's vision for good governance," the PM said, thanking voters.