Pune Civic Polls: NCP and Shiv Sena Mull Seat Deals Ahead of Jan 15
Pune Civic Polls: NCP and Shiv Sena Mull Seat Deals Ahead of Jan 15
As polling nears, NCP and Shiv Sena discuss possible alliances in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad amid withdrawal deadline.
In a development that could reshape Maharashtra’s civic polls, NCP chief Ajit Pawar said his party is in talks with Shiv Sena for potential seat-sharing in Pune and Pimri-Chinchwad ahead of the January 15, 2026 municipal elections. The discussion comes as the 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra gear up for votes, with nomination windows closed and withdrawal deadlines looming.
Pawar’s remarks follow a meeting between Shiv Sena’s Pune unit head Ravindra Dhangekar and him, during which the idea of a tie-up was floated in the wake of a fallout with their state-level ally BJP in Pune and Pimri-Chinchwad. Sources indicate the evolving alliance dynamics could blur traditional loyalties as parties reassess where to bid aggressively in the two key Pune-area corporations.
As of now, the NCP says it has decided to form a union with its rival faction, NCP(SP), for contests in Pune and Pimri-Chinchwad. This comes amid broader realignments elsewhere in the state, where alliances are shifting and some parties are exploring new partnerships to maximize seat gains before papers are finalised and withdrawals close.
With the nomination window having closed and the withdrawal deadline approaching on January 2, candidates are preparing for the scrutiny process ahead of the January 15 polls. In Pune, the NCP has already announced nominees such as Sonali Andekar and Laxmi Andekar, who are linked to prominent local figures, drawing criticism due to associations with criminal backgrounds. The upcoming campaigns will test how voters respond to such controversies and the new coalition calculus.
Analysts say these developments reflect a broader trend of strategic realignments across Maharashtra, where traditional alliances are being reevaluated in the face of evolving local demands and the desire to consolidate votes in urban centers like Pune and Pimri-Chinchwad. The coming weeks will reveal whether these negotiations translate into durable coalitions or fade under the pressure of nominating papers, candidate affidavits, and campaign promises.
