Maharashtra municipal elections 2026: Ajit Pawar forms alliance with NCP (Sharad) faction; what Ajit said?
Maharashtra municipal elections 2026: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday announced an alliance between his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections. He said that the "clock" and the "trumpet" symbols have come together for the municipal elections.
Ajit Pawar was addressing an election rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad. He said, "While finalizing the list of candidates for the municipal elections, both factions have decided to contest together. This has once again united the family."
Ajit Pawar said, "After all, friends, many of us are farmers. Being a farmer is your and my identity (caste). Therefore, certain things need to be done for the all-round development of Maharashtra."
Ajit said further, "People may have questions about the alliance, but sometimes such decisions have to be taken in the interest of Maharashtra's development." He added that discussions on seat-sharing between the two sides have been completed and details will be announced later.
In July 2023, Ajit Pawar, nephew of Sharad Pawar, split from the NCP along with several MLAs, dividing the party into two factions. After separating from Sharad Pawar, Ajit joined the BJP-Shinde government in Maharashtra and became the Deputy Chief Minister.
Ajit Pawar appealed to party workers to work diligently during the campaign and avoid making any controversial statements during rallies. He said that his NCP works for development and the party will expel those who tried to plunge the municipal corporation into debt.
Sharad and Ajit Pawar factions will also contest PMC elections together
The Sharad and Ajit Pawar factions of the NCP will also contest the Pune Municipal Corporation elections together. NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) spokesperson Ankush Kakade confirmed the alliance. He said that seat-sharing has not yet been discussed and the four parties will decide together after talks with the Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray).
BJP to contest 128 seats, Shiv Sena 79
Meanwhile, Mumbai BJP president Amit Satam said that an agreement has been reached on 207 seats in the Mahayuti alliance. Of these, the BJP will contest 128 seats and the Shiv Sena 79. The remaining 20 seats will be decided based on the candidates.
The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations in the state, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations. Voting will be held on January 15 and counting of votes will take place on January 16. The last date for filing nominations is December 30.
Prakash Kumar Pandey