Ajit Pawar joins hands with estranged uncle Sharad Pawar for Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls
Ajit Pawar did not disclose how many seats each faction would contest, even as nomination deadlines draw close and opposition parties await clarity on NCP list
Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party supremo Ajit Pawar on Sunday confirmed that the two rival factions of the NCP will jointly contest the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, marking the first civic body in Maharashtra where the divided party has formally decided to fight together after the split.
As reported by HT earlier, while announcing the tie-up, Pawar did not spell out the seat-sharing arrangement between the two factions, even as the nomination deadline for the civic polls draws close and rival parties await clarity on the NCP’s candidate list.
However, with just two days left for filing nominations, he acknowledged the suspense, saying, “The Opposition is waiting to see when the NCP will announce its candidates. But, we are also watching which candidates rival parties are putting up.”
‘Family has begun to reunite’
In a significant political signal, Pawar openly referred to the rapprochement within the Pawar family and the party. “While facing these civic elections, NCP and NCP (SP) are going ahead together. Accordingly, this family has begun to reunite,” he said.
Campaigning at Talawade in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pawar struck a confident tone while recalling his long political association with the industrial township. “Whenever I have come to you, you have never disappointed me,” he told party workers, while urging them to stay alert. “Party workers should not remain unguarded in Pimpri-Chinchwad,” he said.
Targeting the Opposition, Pawar said his party had a proven development record in the city. “We have shown how development was carried out here. Those who pushed Pimpri-Chinchwad into debt — the time has come to put them aside,” he said.
Pawar was in Pimpri-Chinchwad to campaign for the January 15 civic elections. “For the sake of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections, the ‘clock’ and the ‘tutari’ (trumpet) have united. The parivar has come together,” he said, as reported by PTI news agency.
He also urged party workers to focus on campaigning and avoid controversy during rallies. “We are the ones who work for development. We will edge out those who tried to put this municipal corporation in debt,” he said, the PTI report added.
Pune talks in progress
Sources in Pune, cited in an earlier HT report, indicated that both NCP factions are also in touch over seat-sharing talks for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections.
The discussions had stalled on Friday over seat allocation, following which the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) returned to the negotiating table with its Maha Vikas Aghadi partners – Congress and Shiv Sena.
However, on Sunday, NCP (SP) did not attend alliance talks with the MVA, adding to speculation about possible political realignments at the civic level, especially after reports that the Sharad Pawar-led party skipped seat-sharing discussions with its allies.
