Pune is witnessing a significant churn in its political landscape as the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are showing strong indications of a possible alliance ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections. This development marks a major turn in Maharashtra politics, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the upcoming civic polls.

Several leaders from both factions have hinted at the likelihood of this alliance. Subhash Jagtap, the Pune city president of the Ajit Pawar faction, mentioned ongoing discussions between leaders from both groups and a forming consensus on critical issues. A formal announcement is expected around December 25 or 26, pending final approval from senior leadership. Ankush Kakade, NCP-SCP spokesperson, confirmed the alliance on Tuesday, stating that the two parties will contest the elections together. He also mentioned that discussions regarding seat sharing have not yet occurred and will involve Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

The potential reunion of the two NCP factions has been the subject of intense speculation and negotiations, with both sides reportedly engaging in informal discussions over the past few days. These conversations are said to be centered around crucial aspects such as seat-sharing arrangements, candidate selection processes, campaign strategies, and ensuring seamless local coordination.

Notably, senior leaders are actively involved in these discussions. Supriya Sule, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) working president and Baramati MP, and Shashikant Shinde, party's state unit President, have both alluded to the alliance. Ajit Pawar has also reached out to Congress leader Satej Patil to bring the Congress on board in Pune.

While the top leadership seems to be paving the way for a united front, there are some dissenting voices. Prashant Jagtap, the NCP (SP) Pune unit President, has expressed unhappiness over the potential alliance. Reports suggest he is traveling to Mumbai to meet with Supriya Sule, possibly to discuss his concerns, and there are even rumors of his resignation. However, Shashikant Shinde has stated that he has not received any resignation from Prashant Jagtap.

This possible alliance comes at a crucial time, with the Maharashtra State Election Commission announcing elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the PMC, with polling scheduled for January 15 and counting on January 16. The political landscape in Pune has been further complicated by recent defections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) inducting around 20 former corporators and some office bearers from the city, including 12 leaders from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

Despite previously maintaining distance from Ajit Pawar's group, Sharad Pawar's faction seems to have adopted a more pragmatic approach, aiming to strengthen their position in the city. Political analysts suggest that a united NCP could significantly alter the electoral dynamics in Pune, especially given the ongoing realignments and defections.

The move also follows closely on the heels of the municipal council elections where the Ajit Pawar-led NCP demonstrated a stronger hold on the Pune district compared to the NCP (SP). In Baramati, Ajit Pawar's faction won 35 out of 41 seats, while the NCP (SP) only secured one. These results underscore the changing political equations and the importance of strategic alliances in the region.

While formal alliance talks are yet to commence, according to Supriya Sule, discussions are actively taking place at the ward level, with each ward having its own political calculations. She has emphasized the need for unity within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and has appealed to the Congress to contest the elections jointly, stressing that the Pune election is about the city's development and not individual ambitions.