In a significant political realignment ahead of crucial municipal elections, the two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by uncle Sharad Pawar and nephew Ajit Pawar have decided to join hands. The alliance, formalized on Monday, is specifically for the upcoming polls in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) positioned as their principal opponent.
A Strategic Alliance For Two Civic Bodies
The move comes after days of intense back-channel negotiations between leaders of the NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) or NCP(SP). While Ajit Pawar announced the alliance for Pimpri-Chinchwad on Sunday, the pact was extended to the Pune civic polls a day later. NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar clarified that this is a limited pre-poll understanding confined only to the two urban local bodies and was driven by the wishes of local workers and leaders.
He made it clear that both parties will contest on their respective symbols—the NCP on its 'clock' and the NCP(SP) on its 'man blowing turha' (trumpet)—ruling out any immediate merger of the factions. "Both the NCPs have formed an alliance to take on the powerful BJP," Rohit Pawar stated.
Seat Sharing and Political Calculus
According to party sources, the seat-sharing formula was finalized during a late-night meeting on Sunday with Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. As per the agreement, Ajit Pawar's NCP will contest 125 seats in the PMC, while Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP) will fight for 40 seats. The alliance aims to reclaim lost ground, especially in Pimpri-Chinchwad, where the NCP ruled for two decades before losing to the BJP in 2017—a defeat that reportedly stung Ajit Pawar deeply.
"Our party chief is very keen on returning to power in Pimpri-Chinchwad. He is leading from the front," said Yogesh Behl, president of the Pimpri-Chinchwad unit of Ajit Pawar's NCP. Ajit Pawar has already urged party workers to go all-out to win PCMC, alleging corruption during the BJP's tenure and setting the stage for a bitter campaign.
BJP's Response: A 'Friendly Fight'?
The BJP, however, has downplayed the challenge posed by the united NCP factions. Sandeep Khardekar, the BJP's Pune spokesperson, remarked, "I don't think the coming together of two NCPs will pose a challenge to BJP. After all, Ajit Pawar is part of our government." He described the impending contest as a "friendly fight" where both allies in the state government would campaign hard but not make vitriolic allegations against each other.
In Pimpri-Chinchwad, BJP leader Raju Durge was more dismissive, asserting, "Their unity will make no difference to us. We will come home with ease." This confidence stems from the BJP's strong performance in the 2017 polls, where it won nearly 100 wards in the PMC, reducing the then-united NCP to 44 corporators.
The elections for both municipal corporations are scheduled for January 15, with vote counting on January 16. This local alliance marks a fascinating twist in Maharashtra politics, where the Pawar factions are partners in the state government with the BJP but will be direct rivals at the civic level.
