BJP inducts NCP members in Mulshi, sparking internal power race within Mahayuti ahead of Maharashtra assembly elections.
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
PUNE: In a clear sign of shifting dynamics within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has inducted several members from its coalition partner, the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), in Pune’s Mulshi taluka. Political observers see this as the start of a “race for dominance” ahead of the assembly elections, reflecting the subtle yet significant competition between the allies.
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What’s Happening on the Ground?
The induction event, led by BJP’s Pune rural leaders including Sangram Deshmukh, welcomed NCP office-bearers and workers from Mulshi into the saffron fold. This is no ordinary rural recruitment drive—Mulshi lies in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, a traditional bastion of the Pawar family and one of Maharashtra’s most strategically important political arenas.
By bringing NCP workers into its ranks, the BJP is making inroads into an area that has historically been under the firm grip of the Pawar-led NCP.
The Core Conflict: Strengthening BJP at an Ally’s Expense
While the BJP and NCP share a coalition under the Mahayuti banner, this move highlights an unspoken reality—each partner is also working to secure its own long-term dominance.
According to political analysts, the BJP’s grassroots expansion in NCP-heavy regions serves a dual purpose:
- Reducing dependence on allies during elections.
- Increasing leverage in future seat-sharing negotiations by proving its independent voter base.
In coalition politics, such strategies can alter the balance of power from within, without ever publicly breaking the alliance.
Official Party Line vs. Political Reality
From the BJP’s official perspective, this is a case of “strengthening Mahayuti” and attracting workers inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development vision. Leaders maintain that welcoming committed workers from any party only adds strength to the alliance’s larger goals.
However, analysts note that recruiting from a partner’s stronghold is a classic pre-election maneuver. “This is about the assembly polls, not just alliance unity. The BJP is preparing the ground for a stronger claim over seats currently held by the NCP,” one political commentator observed.
Looking Ahead: The Assembly Election Angle
With the state assembly elections on the horizon, control over constituencies like Mulshi will be crucial in deciding candidate allocations. By building its own base here, the BJP is positioning itself to demand more seats during the complex seat-sharing negotiations within Mahayuti.
While the alliance remains intact publicly, the quiet competition on the ground suggests that when election season arrives, each partner will aim to emerge as the senior player in Maharashtra’s ruling coalition.
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