Pawars Reunite in Pune Belt to Fight Pimpri Chinchwad Civic Polls Together

The rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have announced a significant electoral alliance for the upcoming Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, marking the first major reunion since the party's split in July 2023. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, leader of one NCP faction, declared on December 28, 2025, during a campaign rally in Talawade that both groups—the NCP (with the clock symbol) and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction (with the tutari or trumpet symbol)—will contest the polls together. This development, described as the "family coming together again," comes just days before the nomination deadline on December 30, with voting scheduled for January 15, 2026, and results the following day.

The decision reflects strong pressure from local party workers and leaders in the Pune region, who have long advocated for unity in their traditional stronghold. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar emphasized that the alliance was forged after extensive consultations, stating it was "a fight of the workers and for their election." He clarified that senior leadership, including Sharad Pawar, was not directly involved in the decision-making process, which was driven by grassroots sentiment to make the electoral battle easier and prevent vote splitting. Both factions will retain their respective symbols, and the tie-up extends to the neighboring Pune Municipal Corporation polls, though it remains limited to these civic bodies and does not signal a broader state-level reconciliation.

This reunion holds particular significance in Pimpri-Chinchwad, one of Maharashtra's wealthiest municipal corporations after Mumbai, which has been under NCP control since 2017 and boasts key developments like the Hinjewadi IT hub—credited partly to Sharad Pawar's influence. Ajit Pawar highlighted the need to focus on development, governance, and avoiding controversies, while alleging that political opponents had resorted to threats against candidates. The alliance follows months of speculation and recent family appearances together, such as at the inauguration of the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Baramati on the same day.

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The move adds intrigue to Maharashtra's upcoming civic elections for 29 municipal corporations, where the NCP factions' unity could strengthen their position against rivals like the BJP in these key urban areas. While analysts view it as a pragmatic local arrangement to consolidate traditional support amid the post-split dynamics, Rohit Pawar reiterated that it is confined to Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad based on worker demands. As nominations approach and campaigns intensify, this Pawar family rapprochement underscores the enduring influence of grassroots voices in shaping electoral strategies in the state's political heartland.

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