In a significant political development in Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has adopted a conspicuously defensive posture following a blistering offensive by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The NCP leader launched a fierce attack on the BJP's governance record in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), leaving the saffron party's state and local leadership reluctant to engage in a direct war of words.
Pawar's Scathing Allegations Set the Stage
The political temperature soared on Friday, January 2, 2026, when Ajit Pawar, addressing a joint press conference with NCP (SP) leaders in Pimpri-Chinchwad, launched an unsparing critique. He targeted the BJP's five-year rule in the PCMC from 2017 to 2022 and the subsequent three years under an administrator, which he asserted was also effectively under BJP influence.
Pawar accused the previous nine years of being marred by widespread corruption, financial mismanagement, and loot of civic funds. He contrasted this with the NCP's tenure, claiming that during its 25-year rule, Pimpri-Chinchwad witnessed all-round development and the municipal corporation was cash-rich. He challenged the BJP to showcase what development it had actually delivered during its time in power.
BJP's Muted Response and Strategic Retreat
The following day, Saturday, January 3, BJP state president Ravindra Chavan was in Pimpri-Chinchwad to launch the party's campaign for the upcoming civic polls. A large rally of BJP workers, leaders, and candidates commenced from the Bhakti Shakti statue in Nigdi. Despite expectations of a fiery rebuttal, Chavan notably avoided targeting Ajit Pawar directly.
Without naming Pawar, Chavan indirectly referenced the press conference, stating, "A press conference was held here on Friday in which allegations were made against us... But I want to tell you that no one should dare to cross swords with our 'pailwan' (wrestler)." This remark was a clear reference to Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge, known for his wrestling background and his fierce rivalry with Ajit Pawar. Chavan pointedly tossed the ball into Landge's court, refusing to directly counter the corruption allegations.
Instead, Chavan focused on highlighting the welfare measures undertaken by the central Modi government and the state Fadnavis government. He also made indirect accusations, claiming that some political actors were hiring agencies to write scripts, recruit people for trolling, and splurge money to create a false narrative of popularity during the civic elections.
Local Leadership Falls in Line, NCP-BJP Battle Intensifies
The reluctance to confront Pawar was echoed by the BJP's local leadership. When asked about the allegations, state minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule expressed surprise at the deputy CM's attack but offered no detailed counter. MLA Mahesh Landge deferred to the state leadership for a response, while Chinchwad MLA Shankar Jagtap stated that the party president had said all that was needed, offering no further comment.
This coordinated silence suggests a calculated strategy by the BJP to not elevate the confrontation with a senior leader like Ajit Pawar ahead of the crucial PCMC elections. Both the NCP and the BJP are pulling out all stops to win the corporation. The BJP aims to regain the power it won in 2017, while the NCP is determined to return to the helm after its defeat that same year.
The episode underscores the high-stakes nature of urban civic polls in Maharashtra and reveals a tactical shift, where the BJP, often seen as aggressive, has chosen a path of strategic avoidance in the face of specific and damaging allegations from a powerful political opponent.
