Ajit-Sharad reunite for local election; Ajit says 'parivar has come together'

In a dramatic turn of events in Maharashtra politics, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced on Sunday that his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will alliance with Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) for the upcoming Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections. Speaking at a campaign rally, Ajit Pawar declared that the "parivar (family) has come together," signaling a major strategic shift ahead of the high-stakes local body polls. This reunion brings the 'clock' and 'tutari' symbols under a single electoral front.

The decision to contest together was finalized during meetings where both factions agreed to synchronize their candidate lists. Ajit Pawar emphasized that while many might question the political implications, the move was made primarily in the interest of Maharashtra’s development and the stability of the Pimpri-Chinchwad region. He confirmed that discussions regarding seat-sharing with local leaders have reached an advanced stage and a formal announcement on the final distribution will be made shortly.

The civic polls for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the powerhouse Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad bodies, are scheduled for January 15, 2026. With the nomination deadline of December 30 fast approaching, the sudden alignment of the two Pawar factions has completely altered the local political arithmetic. Observers believe this move aims to consolidate the Maratha vote bank and prevent a split in the NCP’s traditional support base, which had been divided since the party split in 2023.