NCP's Pawar Alliance Stumbles in Pune Civic Polls as BJP Takes Commanding Lead
The much-anticipated political reunion of Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar hit a significant roadblock on Friday. Their united Nationalist Congress Party faced a massive electoral setback in the crucial municipal elections of Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune.
BJP Dominates Ward Counts in Both Cities
According to the latest trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party established a strong lead in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The party was ahead in 74 wards of the municipal corporation. Pimpri-Chinchwad ranks among the wealthiest civic bodies in Maharashtra, second only to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
In contrast, the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar was leading in only 40 seats. Sharad Pawar's faction managed to secure a lead in just one ward. This poor showing came despite an aggressive and high-profile campaign run by the NCP in the city leading up to the elections.
The story repeated itself in Pune. The BJP took a commanding lead in 52 wards of the Pune Municipal Corporation. The NCP, collectively, was ahead in merely two wards. The Congress party, leading in five wards, had allied with the Thackeray brothers' factions—Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Neither of these allies secured a lead in any ward.
A Fractured Family and a Political Gamble
This election marked a notable attempt at unity. Both factions of the NCP came together specifically for these local body polls in Maharashtra. This move came two years after a dramatic split. In 2022, Ajit Pawar, along with a group of senior leaders, broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar's party.
He then joined hands with the BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena to form a new ruling coalition in the state. Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister under this alliance. His faction argued for aligning with the ruling government, while Sharad Pawar's group insisted on remaining with the opposition.
The Election Commission later granted official recognition to Ajit Pawar's group as the legitimate NCP. This decision allowed them to retain the party's original 'clock' symbol. Sharad Pawar's faction, now called NCP-SP, adopted a new symbol—the 'tutari' or curved trumpet.
Both groups contested elections separately after the split. Following disappointing results for his faction in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ajit Pawar publicly acknowledged a political miscalculation. He stated that turning his back on his family had been a mistake.
Future of NCP Merger Now in Doubt
During the intense campaign for the civic polls, strong speculation suggested the two NCP factions were moving towards a full merger. Key leaders, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and MP Supriya Sule, dropped hints about a potential future reunion.
In an interview with the news agency IANS, Supriya Sule indicated that a decision regarding a merger could be made later. She clarified that their current alliance was specifically for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections. The future, she said, would be decided in due course.
However, the lackluster performance in these critical local body elections raises serious questions. Political observers now wonder if both factions will still see any strategic advantage in coming together. The electoral setback may force a reevaluation of their unity plans.
The results from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad deliver a clear message. The BJP has consolidated its position significantly in these urban centers. For the Pawar family and the NCP, the path to political recovery appears more challenging than ever.
