Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has confirmed that both factions of the NCP — his group and the Sharad Pawar-led faction — will jointly contest the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections. This marks the first civic body in Maharashtra where the two sides have officially decided to fight the polls together following the party’s split.
Speaking at a public meeting in Talawade, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Ajit Pawar said the decision reflects renewed coordination within the party and the Pawar family. However, he did not reveal how many seats each faction would contest, even as the nomination deadline approaches and opposition parties await clarity on the NCP’s candidate list.
Recalling his long association with the industrial township, Pawar expressed confidence in the party’s support base while urging party workers to remain alert. “Whenever I have come here, the people have supported me. But workers should not become complacent,” he said.
Targeting rival parties, Pawar highlighted the NCP’s development record in Pimpri-Chinchwad. He accused previous administrations of pushing the city into financial trouble and said voters now have an opportunity to choose a more accountable leadership.
With only two days remaining for filing nominations, Pawar acknowledged the political suspense surrounding candidate announcements. He remarked that while the opposition is waiting for the NCP’s list, his party is also closely observing the candidates fielded by rival parties.
In a significant political statement, Pawar openly referred to improving ties within the Pawar family. “As we face these civic elections together, both NCP factions are moving forward collectively. This process has also brought the family closer,” he said, signalling a rare moment of unity.
Political analysts believe the decision could have broader implications for Maharashtra’s civic politics. In Pune, sources suggest that both NCP factions have resumed informal discussions on seat-sharing for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections. These talks had earlier stalled, leading the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) to briefly return to negotiations with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners — Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).
However, the absence of NCP (SP) leaders from Sunday’s MVA alliance meeting has further fuelled speculation about possible political realignments at the local level.
