Pune Municipal Elections: NCP Factions in Talks for Possible Seat-Sharing Arrangement
Pune, 25th December 2025: The stage is set for a political showdown in Pune as the city gears up for the upcoming municipal corporation elections. In a strategic shift, the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, are exploring the possibility of joining forces, signaling a potential united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to sources close to the discussions, an initial round of talks has already taken place, with both factions delving into preliminary seat-sharing arrangements. The move goes beyond merely contesting under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) umbrella, aiming instead at a cohesive electoral strategy that maximizes their combined strength.
Shashikant Shinde, state president of the Sharad Pawar-led faction, confirmed the overture from Ajit Pawar and highlighted the discussions’ broader scope. “There is a positive inclination from Ajit Pawar towards joining the Maha Vikas Aghadi. We have proposed claiming 30 to 40-plus seats in the Pune Municipal Corporation and 25 to 30 seats in Pimpri-Chinchwad,” Shinde said.
Negotiations are reportedly ongoing with Congress and Shiv Sena, as well as between the two NCP factions, to finalize a seat-sharing formula that would strengthen the MVA’s position in both civic bodies. “If a respectable seat-sharing arrangement is finalised, the Maha Vikas Aghadi will emerge much stronger in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad,” Shinde added.
The talks come against the backdrop of the BJP’s strong performance in the 2017 civic elections, where it won 97 out of 162 seats in Pune and 77 of 128 seats in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The undivided NCP, by comparison, secured 39 seats in Pune and 36 in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
With negotiations still in progress, all eyes are on how the alliances take shape in the coming weeks.
