In a rare show of political coordination, the two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar have come together to release a single election agenda for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad ahead of the 2026 municipal corporation polls. The joint document outlines a shared roadmap for urban development, marking a significant moment after the party’s split in 2023.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Baramati MP Supriya Sule jointly presented the manifesto at a press conference, signalling growing cooperation between the two sides at the city level. While the Ajit Pawar faction is part of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, the Sharad Pawar-led group remains in the opposition. Despite this divide, both camps have decided to contest the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections together, scheduled for January 15.
The manifesto focuses on everyday civic concerns faced by residents of the two cities. Key promises include uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water, measures to curb air pollution, better traffic management, and improved connectivity between major roads and interior areas. Emphasis has also been placed on maintaining cleaner neighbourhoods, upgrading public healthcare facilities, repairing roads, and accelerating slum redevelopment projects.
Ajit Pawar said the document prioritises practical solutions over political slogans. He highlighted proposals such as free travel on public transport services, including buses and the metro, property tax relief for smaller homes, and the distribution of free digital tablets to students to support education.
Supriya Sule, along with senior leaders from the Sharad Pawar faction, attended the manifesto launch, many of them appearing publicly for the first time during the campaign. Their presence was seen as a clear indication of coordinated efforts in a region considered a traditional stronghold of the Pawar family.
During the interaction, Ajit Pawar also took a swipe at the local BJP leadership, accusing it of failing to deliver results in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad despite receiving adequate financial support from state and central governments. The BJP had controlled both civic bodies between 2017 and 2022.
