Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday (January 11, 2026) took a swipe at Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), for criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the civic poll campaign in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, saying they had agreed on "friendly" contests despite both parties fighting separately.
Speaking during an interaction with actor Girija Oak, Mr. Fadnavis said the BJP and the NCP had decided well in advance that they would not contest the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections as allies since both were strong parties in the region.
NCP in talks to ally with Shiv Sena in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad for polls: Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar’s NCP, a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti, has been repeatedly targeting the BJP over local governance in the run-up to polls to the January 15 Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations. He has forged a tie-up with NCP(SP), led by his uncle Sharad Pawar, for the two civic bodies.
Asked about Ajit Pawar’s criticism of the BJP, Mr. Fadnavis said, “Ajit dada only speaks, but my work speaks. We had already decided then that even if we contest against each other, it would be a friendly contest and that we would refrain from criticising each other or each other’s parties. I have followed that rule till now, but his restraint is somewhat shaken.” However, Ajit Pawar won’t “speak” after January 15, when votes will be cast, said Mr. Fadnavis, exuding confidence in the BJP's performance.
