Pawars reunite: Ajit Pawar announces alliance with uncle Sharad Pawar for local body polls
While addressing a rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Sunday, Ajit Pawar asserted the significance of unity between both the factions and said the family has come together.
PTC News Desk: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has announced that his NCP will form an alliance with NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar for the upcoming Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections. The announcement marks significant reunion within the Pawar family.
While addressing a rally in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Sunday, Ajit Pawar asserted the significance of unity between both the factions and said the family has come together.
“While finalising the candidate list for the municipal elections, both factions decided to contest together, bringing the family back together. Many questions have arisen about the outcome, but sometimes decisions must be made in the interest of Maharashtra’s development. I have also discussed seat-sharing with local leaders, which will be announced soon," he said, adding that the ‘clock’ and the ‘tutari’ have united.
Notably, the clock symbol refers to the NCP and tutari represents NCP (SP).
The uncle and nephew duo had previously worked together as part of the NCP and split in 2023 when Ajit Pawar allied with the BJP in Maharashtra. Meanwhile speculation are rife over a possible alliance between both the parties for Pune Municipal Corporation elections.
Many political leaders reacted to the Pawars' reunion, with some hoping that Sharad Pawar would join the NDA alliance sometime soon.
"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, as we knew that Ajit Pawar joined the NDA alliance after receiving directions from Sharad Pawar. We are happy that they are uniting. I hope Sharad Pawar will also join the NDA alliance soon," BJP leader Navneet Rana said.
The Eknath Shinde Sena, however, criticised the Pawars' alliance, saying, "They can come together, but people will not vote on surname. The surname politics won't work in Maharashtra."
Elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra will be held on January 15 and counting of votes the next day. The last date for filing nominations is December 30.