Two-day visit for Jansamvad | As Ajit Pawar travels across Pimpri-Chinchwad, renergised NCP hopes to regain power in PCMC

EVEN as NCP national president Ajit Pawar, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister, travelled across the length and breadth of Pimpri-Chinchwad meeting, interacting and listening to grievances of citizens, his party sounded confident of bouncing back in the industrial city which it ruled for 20 years before being ousted from power in 2017. “Our party president’s two-day visit during which he travelled to most parts of the city and met several citizens has helped to revive the spirit of our party leaders and workers. Ajit Pawar spent more than 20 hours among the people and closely interacted with them. Citizens, it seemed, were desperate to meet our leader,” Yogesh Behl, president of NCP's Pimpri-Chinchwad unit, told The Indian Express. Like Saturday, when he landed up in Pimpri-Chinchwad at 8 am for Jansamvad and left around 10.30 pm, the NCP president spent nine hours Sunday travelling to different parts of the city, chawls and slums. At several places, he took complaints from citizens and gave them a patient hearing. He seemed to be in no mood to rush like he is known during every visit to the city. “He took several decisions on the spot which brought smiles on the face of the aggrieved citizens as their complaints were redressed,” said Behl. On Sunday, Ajit Pawar landed up as early as 6 am at Government-run Haffkeine institute in Sant Tukaram Nagar area where he interacted with the officials and workers. He then went to Pimple Saudagar area to meet an ailing NCP leader. Around 9 am, he had breakfast at a party leader's residence. He had lunch at party leader Vijay Kurhades's residence. In Milindnagar slums, he guided the party leaders and workers about the ensuing elections and inaugurated an election office. At Gawdenagar in Chinchwad, Ajit Pawar shared a cup of tea with party workers and indulged in some light hearted banter. “I had a hot cup of tea and discussed political and social issues with the karyakartas,” Ajit Pawar said later. Similarly, he also visited the famous Ashok Hotel in Phugewadi. At Nanekar Chawl in Pimpri, Ajit Pawar met Fazal Shaikh and other party workers. He promised them that he would resolve all their issues. At the vegetable market in Pimpri, Ajit Pawar interacted with the citizens and vendors. “I want to thank them all for the way they welcomed me in the market.I heard the grievances of the vendors,” the Deputy CM said. In Sant Tukaram Nagar area and Kasarwadi too, he interacted with citizens. Several residents took pictures and selfies with him. In Kasarwadi area incidentally, Ajit Pawar met citizens at the junction where daily traffic jams are witnessed, except Sundays. “Ajit Pawar should have come in the evening or on weekdays. He would have got to see for himself the kind of traffic jam that takes place here,'' said Jayant Kariya, a local resident. It was in Dapodi that Ajit Pawar spent a lot of time at the residence of party worker Nazir Mujawar and interacted with his family. “Ajitdada had breakfast at our residence. He interacted with all my family members. I never thought such an occasion would arrive. It made us extremely happy,” said Mujawar, adding that the NCP president was with his family for nearly 30 minutes. Ajit Pawar later said, “People of Dapodi like in other parts of the city gave me a warm welcome. I want to thank the Nazir Mujawar family for their kindness.,'' he said. Former Dapodi corporator Rohit Kate said, “Ajit Pawar himself wanted to visit the residence of a citizen. I had suggested some names but he choose Nazir Mujawar's family.” Behl said Ajit Pawar's visit has renergised the party rank and file. “Our national president has succeeded in creating a positive atmosphere for the party ahead of the civic elections. For eight years, we have been out of power. Now our morale is high and we are looking forward to returning to power,” he said. When asked whether the party will contest elections in alliance with BJP and Shiv Sena, Behl said,''We have discussed the issue with Ajit Pawar. He told us that no decision has been taken so far. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take the decision. He however has asked to remain in poll mode.” The NCP has ruled Pimpri-Chinchwad for 20 years. The party was credited with rapid development of the industrial city. However, BJP ousted NCP from power in 2017. BJP ruled for five years after that PCMC had been ruled by an administrator.