Ajit Pawar's alliance with Sharad Pawar faction in Pimpri-Chinchwad, will this party also enter now?

News Topical, Digital Desk : Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Thursday (January 1, 2026) said that his NCP is in talks with the Eknath Shinde -led Shiv Sena on seat-sharing for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections. After paying tribute at the 'Jai Stambh' near Pune on the 208th anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle, Pawar told reporters that they are in touch with the Shiv Sena regarding seat-sharing, but the picture will become clearer after the scrutiny of nomination papers and withdrawal of candidates is completed.

Previously, the party had talked about forming an alliance with the Sharad Pawar faction's NCP (SP) for both municipal bodies. The NCP and Shiv Sena are constituents of the ruling Mahayuti (great alliance) with the BJP, while the NCP (SP) is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (Maha Vikas Aghadi). However, alliances in the state are somewhat uncertain, with rival camps joining forces in several cities for this year's municipal elections.

What did Ajit Pawar say about candidates with criminal background?

The nomination process for the elections began on December 23 and ended on December 30, while the last date for withdrawal of nominations is January 2. The final list of candidates will be released on January 3. Regarding the issue of giving tickets to some candidates with criminal backgrounds, Ajit Pawar said that the party has formed an alliance with the Republican Party of India (Sachin Kharat faction) and the decision to nominate candidates was theirs.

'Alliance with Sharad Pawar faction in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad'

In Pune, Sonali Andekar, daughter-in-law of gang leader Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar, and her sister-in-law, Laxmi Andekar, have been given tickets. Pawar said, "We have already formed an alliance with the RPI (Sachin Kharat faction). In Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, we are contesting the elections in alliance with the NCP (SP). Talks are also ongoing with Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant. It is possible that an agreement may be reached with Shiv Sena on some seats in these municipal bodies." Voting for the state's 29 municipal corporations, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, and counting will take place the next day.

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