Sharad Pawar's NCP may back Shiv Sena

Mumbai: Sensing an opportunity of breaking the Shiv Sena- Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) alliance in the state government, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has indicated that his party is ready to support Sena in the mayoral election of Brihanmumbai Municipal Council (BMC). “Our leaders from the city will take a decision looking at the local situation. But we don’t have sympathy for BJP to get its mayor there,” Mr Pawar said while speaking in Nanded on Sunday.

Mr Pawar’s party has nine corporators in Mumbai and can play a key role in a close fight between Sena and BJP. Mr Pawar said, “Sena has got the support of a few Independent corporators. It is likely to get more corporators in its fold. In the larger interest of the city our party will take its decision. Though we have not decided anything yet, our leaders from Mumbai will take a final call at the right time.”

Mr Pawar’s comments gain importance as Sena is trying to seal a direct or indirect deal with the Congress, which has 31 corporators. If Congress abstains or puts up its own candidate in the mayoral election, it will ultimately harm BJP’s prospects in Mumbai. However, the Congress leadership has not taken any decision on supporting Sena yet, as party leaders from Mumbai have been told to be cautious ahead of the remaining three phases of the crucial Uttar Pradesh elections.

NCP’s nine corporators and MNS’s seven corporators have the potential to tilt the scales in the power equation in the mayoral election. The BJP now has 83 councillors with it, including one Independent.

The Sena has 88 councillors, which includes four independents. As a result, both parties need the help of NCP and MNS to win the mayor’s post. However, Mr Pawar’s clarification of his stand could come as a relief for Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.