Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday (January 1, 2026) said his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is in talks with the Shiv Sena, led by his peer Eknath Shinde, over seat sharing for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls.
He was speaking to reporters after paying tribute at the ‘Jay Stambh’ (victory pillar) near Pune on the 208th anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle.
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Mr. Pawar said that although they are in touch with Shiv Sena over seats, the picture will be clearer after the scrutiny of nomination papers and withdrawals by candidates. Earlier, the party had said it had tied up with Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP) for the two municipal corporations.
The NCP and the Shiv Sena are constituents of the ruling Mahayuti, along with the BJP, while the NCP(SP) belongs to the Opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi. However, in this year's civic polls, State-level alliances have blurred with parties joining hands with rival camps in several cities.
