The political landscape for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections has solidified with a key opposition alliance. The Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) officially declared their partnership on Monday, and were joined by Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). This move comes in direct response to their Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), deciding to contest the polls alongside the rival Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
Seat-Sharing Formula and Alliance Dynamics
Congress leader Satej Patil provided the initial seat-sharing breakdown for the 165-seat civic body. The Congress has been allotted 60 seats, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) has secured 45 seats in the first phase of negotiations. Discussions regarding the distribution of the remaining 60 seats are ongoing, with other alliance partners, including the MNS, to be accommodated.
Patil attributed the delay in announcing the alliance to the indecision of the NCP (SP). He stated that the NCP (SP)'s frequent changes in stance kept the other MVA partners waiting. "The NCP (SP) has finally joined hands with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, so things have become clear for us," Patil explained. Both the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have strongly opposed the NCP (SP)'s decision to ally with Ajit Pawar's faction, citing its coalition with the BJP at both the state and central levels.
MNS Joins the Fray and BJP's Strategy Criticized
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir confirmed that his party has so far secured 40 seats in the arrangement. He outlined the process for finalizing the remaining seats, stating, "It has been decided that the Congress will talk to its other alliance partners like Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and other parties, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) will hold discussions with the MNS and other parties." The MNS, which had sought 32 seats in Pune, is currently in talks with the UBT faction, and a final agreement is expected soon.
Ahir also launched a sharp critique of the BJP's electoral strategy. He accused the BJP of attempting to eliminate opposition in the civic body by having its ally, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, contest independently. This, he claimed, is a ploy to ensure that both the ruling and opposition benches are occupied by BJP-friendly parties. "The Ajit Pawar-led NCP will be the ruling party after the civic polls. If they are serious, then Ajit Pawar should declare in public that his party would not join hands with the BJP after the elections," Ahir challenged.
Poll Schedule and Wider Political Context
The PMC polls are scheduled for January 15, with the vote counting set for January 16. These elections are part of a larger wave of civic polls across Maharashtra, with 28 other municipal corporations, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), also going to the polls on the same day.
Defending the inclusion of the MNS into the opposition fold, Congress's Satej Patil argued that if ruling coalition partners can forge alliances outside their bloc for convenience, the MVA is equally justified in seeking new partners. He framed the alliance as a necessity born out of civic failure, stating, "These elections are to resolve the civic issues of Pune. The BJP and its alliance partner have failed to resolve the issues in their rule, so we have come together to handle the problems of citizens."
Ahir revealed an interesting trend of defections, noting that many aspirants from the BJP, its allies, and even the NCP factions are approaching the MVA alliance for tickets after being denied by their own parties. The alliance has stated it will consider these candidates based on their winnability.
