‘Parivar Together’: Ajit Pawar Announces NCP–NCP(SP) Reunion for High-Stakes Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Polls

Maharashtra's politically influential Pawar family has come together again, at least for the upcoming Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections, signalling a tactical reunion after more than two years of separation.

The alliance brings Ajit Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) onto the same platform for a key municipal battle in western Maharashtra.

Pawars announce reunion for civic polls

Ajit Pawar on Sunday confirmed the alliance during an election rally, describing it as a temporary coming together for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation polls. Announcing the tie-up with the faction led by his uncle Sharad Pawar, he said, "For the sake of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections, the 'clock' and the 'tutari' (trumpet) have united. The 'parivar' (family) has come together."

The statement marks the first formal electoral understanding between the two sides since their split in 2023, when Ajit Pawar broke away and joined the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.

Symbols, split and political background

The 'clock' symbol, historically associated with the undivided Nationalist Congress Party, was retained by Ajit Pawar's faction after the Election Commission recognised it as the original party. Sharad Pawar's group subsequently adopted the 'tutari' or curved trumpet symbol.

The uncle and nephew had worked together for decades within the NCP before the split, which reshaped Maharashtra's political equations. While Ajit Pawar aligned with the BJP and became Deputy Chief Minister, Sharad Pawar's faction remained part of the Opposition alliance at both the state and national levels.

Pimpri-Chinchwad's political significance

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation is regarded as one of the richest civic bodies in Maharashtra, second only to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The civic body has been under the control of Sharad Pawar's undivided NCP since 2017, making the election crucial for both factions seeking to retain influence in the Pune region.

During his address, Ajit Pawar urged party workers to focus on development and avoid controversial remarks. "We are the ones who work for development. We will edge out those who tried to put this municipal corporation in debt," he said.

Calls for reconciliation had grown louder after the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance recorded a landslide victory in last year's Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Mixed reactions from allies and rivals

The reunion drew sharp political reactions across party lines. BJP leader Navneet Rana said, "Ajit Pawar joined the BJP on Sharad Pawar's orders. I also said earlier that Ajit Pawar always follows Sharad Pawar's directions. It's nothing new for us that they are reuniting... I hope Sharad Pawar will also join the NDA alliance soon."

Zeeshan Siddiqui from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP welcomed the move, saying, "It is a good thing if both the families come together. The party will become stronger because of this. We welcome this step. Both parties will fight strongly."

The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena criticised the alliance, arguing that voters would not be swayed by family ties. "They can come together, but people will not vote on surname. The surname politics won't work in Maharashtra," the party said.

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC echoed the sentiment, stating, "Any brothers may come together, family may come together, but surname politics will not work. They are coming together for power. People trust only in work and not in name."

Election timeline ahead

The reunion for Pimpri-Chinchwad comes amid reports that talks between the two factions on contesting the Pune civic polls together had hit a roadblock, with Sharad Pawar reopening seat-sharing discussions with Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and the Congress. The Pune region has long been considered a Pawar stronghold.

Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune, are scheduled for January 15, with counting set for the following day. The last date for filing nominations is December 30.