Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday announced an alliance between his NCP faction and the NCP (SP) led by his uncle Sharad Pawar for the Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections, saying the “parivar” (family) has come together.
Speaking at a campaign event in Pimpri-Chinchwad ahead of the January 15 polls, Ajit Pawar said, “For the sake of these municipal elections, the ‘clock’ and the ‘tutari’ (trumpet) have come together. The parivar has united.” He urged party workers to focus on development work and avoid making controversial statements during rallies.
“We are the ones working for progress. We will ensure those who tried to burden the municipal corporation with debt are pushed out,” he added.
On Monday morning, Rohit Pawar of the NCP (SP) confirmed that the two factions will also contest the Pune civic body elections together, saying the decision was taken in deference to the wishes of grassroots workers. “After NCP (SP) city chief Prashant Jagtap’s exit, several workers approached working president Supriya Sule, saying both factions should come together. The alliance reflects the sentiments of local party workers,” Rohit Pawar said.
He added that the tie-up would make the electoral battle easier for both factions and clarified that, for now, the alliance is limited to the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal polls. While Sharad Pawar was not directly involved in the decision, Rohit Pawar said the senior leader believes the views of party workers are crucial in civic elections. He also said a seat-sharing arrangement has been finalised, though details were not disclosed.
Earlier on Sunday, the Pawar family was in Baramati, where industrialist Gautam Adani inaugurated the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune, are scheduled for January 15, with counting set for the following day. The last date to file nominations is December 30.