Thane: As the dust settles on recent power sharing between the ruling parties in Thane, the spotlight now shifts to the opposition, where the Sunetra Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar NCP factions are apparently vying for the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post in the 131-seat Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).Political circles are abuzz with the possibility of the Sunetra Pawar camp seeking an alliance with AIMIM, potentially boosting their numbers to 14 and gaining the majority for the post of LoP. Meanwhile, the Sharad Pawar-led faction is also reportedly courting the lone independent and the single Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator to match that strength. “If both sides reach parity, it could trigger a historic stalemate in the House, where Shiv Sena already commands a majority and the BJP holds the deputy mayor post,” said an analyst.
Experts caution that while the LoP post is still up for grabs, ideological differences and recent verbal clashes may make an AIMIM alliance unlikely. Both NCP factions also dismissed such support, leaving a merger between the two camps as the only plausible route to the post.The NCP (SP), holding a strategic edge with numbers, is understood to have offered the LoP post to the Sunetra camp in the event of a merger. But the Sunetra group remains steadfast, still reeling from Ajit Pawar’s loss. “This is not the time for deals or mergers,” said NCP spokesperson Anand Paranjape. “We remain committed to Ajit Dada’s vision, and those talking of a merger will have to clarify if they are ready to align with the NDA and Mahayuti in the state.”
