Rival NCP factions unite for Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections in surprise move
The two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have agreed to join forces for the upcoming Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections. This surprise alliance comes after years of bitter division, including a high-profile split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar’s leadership. The decision was announced just days before polling begins on 15 January.
The rivalry between the NCP factions began in July 2023, when Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar. He left the original party to join the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, creating a lasting political rift. Both sides then competed fiercely in the 2024 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections, with Sharad Pawar’s faction performing better in parliamentary contests while Ajit Pawar’s group secured more assembly seats.
Rumours of a possible reunion had circulated ahead of this year’s civic polls, particularly in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. However, hopes dimmed when the factions initially chose to contest the Pune municipal elections separately. The sudden shift came when Ajit Pawar declared the alliance during a rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad, catching many by surprise. The agreement also includes the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, which will contest the elections alongside Sharad Pawar’s NCP. Their combined aim is to field candidates for 60 seats in the 2025 municipal corporation polls. Voting across 29 Maharashtra civic bodies, including Pimpri-Chinchwad, will take place on 15 January, with results expected the following day.
The alliance marks a dramatic turn after two and a half years of open conflict between the Pawar factions. Both sides will now campaign together in Pimpri-Chinchwad, setting aside past disputes for the upcoming civic elections. The results on 16 January will reveal whether this partnership shifts local political dynamics in the region.
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