Ahead of Maharashtra’s civic elections, Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar on Sunday, December 28, announced an alliance between his faction and the Sharadchandra Pawar-led NCP faction for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) polls, declaring that the Pawar family has reunited politically.Addressing party workers at a campaign rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pawar said the decision to contest the January 15 elections together was taken while finalising the list of candidates for the civic body, as per News18.‘Clock’ and ‘Tutari’ unite
Ajit Pawar said that while finalising the list of candidates for the Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections, “the Nationalist Congress Party and the Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar faction decided to contest the polls together in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Because of this, the family will come together once again.”Referring to the election symbols of the two factions, he added, “For the sake of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections, the ‘clock’ and the ‘tutari’ (trumpet) have united. The parivar has come together,” as per News18.His remarks drew applause from party cadres, many of whom view the tie-up as a significant development in one of Maharashtra’s key urban political centres.Focus on development and stabilityAcknowledging speculation following the party split, Pawar said there had been uncertainty over the future course of action.Read more: BMC Elections 2026: Ajit Pawar’s NCP announces first list of candidates, check details“There were many questions in people’s minds about what would happen. Many times, certain decisions have to be taken in the interest of Maharashtra’s development,” he said.He also indicated that seat-sharing discussions were already underway at the local level. “I have discussed seat-sharing with leaders here, and that too will be announced soon,” Pawar said, urging workers to avoid controversial remarks that could undermine the alliance, as per News18.Positioning the coalition as development-focused, he told party workers: “We are the ones who work for development. We will edge out those who tried to put this municipal corporation in debt.”Talks beyond PCMC; Mumbai goes soloAccording to a News18 report, discussions are also ongoing between the two NCP factions for a possible understanding in the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, suggesting the PCMC alliance could be extended.Meanwhile, the NCP has opted to contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently. The party on Sunday, December 28, released its first list of 37 candidates for Mumbai’s civic polls, including three members of Nawab Malik’s family.Read more: BMC Elections 2026: Shinde’s Shiv Sena and BJP finalise seat-sharing, check detailsElections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including PCMC, Pune and Mumbai, will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. The last date for filing nominations is December 30, according to the Maharashtra State Election Commission.
