Daijiworld Media Network – Pune

Pune, Nov 12: With the announcement of elections for 246 municipal councils and 18 nagar panchayats in Maharashtra, political activity across the state has gathered pace. As the local body polls draw closer, leaders of major parties are focusing on ground-level alliances, and new — often unexpected — coalitions are emerging in several regions.

Speculations are now rife about a possible reunion between Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The buzz began after NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) Pimpri-Chinchwad city president Yogesh Behl revealed that discussions had taken place between Ajit Pawar and his sister, MP Supriya Sule, regarding contesting the local elections together.

“Ajit Dada will be discussing the proposal with Sharad Pawar, and a final decision will be taken thereafter,” Behl stated, adding that the information came directly from Ajit Pawar himself. The development has sparked talk that both factions of the NCP may join hands for the upcoming local body elections.

Earlier, both NCP groups had already collaborated in several regions, including Beed, Chandgad, and Barshi, with the shared objective of keeping the BJP away from power. Now, Supriya Sule is said to have formally conveyed the proposal to Ajit Pawar, further fuelling the possibility of a larger reunion.

Following the 2024 Assembly elections, Maharashtra witnessed a dramatic political shift when Ajit Pawar broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined the Mahayuti alliance government. Sharad Pawar later reconstituted his faction of the NCP, leading to two separate groups — one led by Ajit Pawar and the other by Sharad Pawar.

With both factions now exploring cooperation once again, the coming civic elections could mark a new chapter in Maharashtra’s dynamic political landscape.