In a significant political development just days before the crucial municipal elections, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has revealed that he is engaged in discussions with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena. The aim is to forge an electoral alliance for the upcoming polls to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Last-Minute Alliance Talks to Consolidate Votes
Ajit Pawar stated on Thursday that the final picture of candidates for the January 15 elections would become clear soon. He confirmed he is in direct talks with Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and senior leader Uday Samant. The core objective of the potential pact is to prevent a division of votes by ensuring only one candidate from the alliance contests each of the 165 seats across both civic bodies.
"We will discuss the possibility of striking an alliance before the actual day of withdrawal of nomination forms," Pawar said. He emphasized that alliance partners are prepared to withdraw nominations where more than one candidate is in the fray for a single seat.
BJP's Solo Play Forces Sena's Hand
The move for a NCP-Shinde Sena tie-up comes against the backdrop of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deciding to contest all 165 seats independently. This is despite the BJP having previously declared an alliance with Shinde's Shiv Sena for elections in all 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra. After the BJP offered only 16 seats to its ally, the Shinde-led Sena made a last-minute decision to field its own candidates on all seats.
Meanwhile, the NCP and the NCP(Sharadchandra Pawar) have already entered into a pre-poll alliance for both the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls. The BJP had ruled both corporations from 2012 to 2017, with the NCP serving as the principal opposition. The Shiv Sena has historically struggled to maintain a strong presence in these urban areas.
Election Schedule and High-Stakes Battle
The elections for the two major civic bodies in Maharashtra's Pune district are set for January 15, 2026, with results scheduled to be declared on January 16. The polls are seen as a critical test of strength for the ruling Mahayuti alliance partners at the local level, especially after the BJP's decision to go it alone.
The political maneuvering highlights the intense preparations and strategic calculations underway. All parties are keen to avoid splitting the anti-incumbency or pro-establishment vote, depending on their position. The outcome will significantly influence the political landscape in one of Maharashtra's most important urban regions.
