In a major political shift ahead of Maharashtra’s municipal corporation elections, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced that the two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party will jointly contest the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections. The decision marks a rare moment of cooperation between the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), signalling what Ajit Pawar described as a “coming together of the family” at the local level.
Addressing party workers and voters during a campaign event in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Ajit Pawar said the decision was taken after detailed discussions between leaders of both groups while finalising candidates for the civic polls. He added that clarity on seat-sharing arrangements has largely been achieved and the formal announcement is expected shortly.
According to Pawar, the alliance has strong emotional value for NCP supporters who have long hoped for unity after the party split. He underlined that despite political differences at the state level, both factions share the same ideological roots, social base, and commitment to grassroots politics, particularly issues linked to farmers and urban development.
Ajit Pawar also used the occasion to push back against allegations of political coercion and defections. He maintained that he has never forced leaders to join him and claimed that many politicians across parties today face pressure and threats related to ongoing development projects. Calling such practices unhealthy for democracy, he urged voters in Pimpri-Chinchwad not to encourage politics driven by fear or intimidation.
On the broader political landscape, Pawar noted that earlier municipal elections in Maharashtra were largely fought independently by major parties. He argued that the current trend of splits, mergers, and behind-the-scenes pressure reflects a deeper crisis in political culture. Despite this, he expressed confidence that the NCP alliance in Pimpri-Chinchwad would provide stable leadership and accelerate local development.
The announcement has drawn attention because the Ajit Pawar-led NCP is part of the BJP–Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) Mahayuti alliance, while the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) remains with the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Maha Vikas Aghadi. While coordination at the state level remains uncertain, the Pimpri-Chinchwad understanding suggests that local political equations may evolve differently from state alliances.
