Ajit Pawar Advocates Independent Local Polls Amidst Party Dynamics

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced that Mahayuti alliance members, including his faction of the NCP, are free to contest local body elections independently. Addressing NCP workers, Pawar emphasized that independent contests would strengthen the cadre. He also addressed conflicts within the party and met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss development issues.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar declared on Sunday that the Mahayuti constituents, including his faction of the NCP, are free to independently contest local body elections.

While speaking to Nationalist Congress Party workers in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pawar stated that this approach would help fortify the party's grassroots base. 'Even though we are allies in Lok Sabha and state assembly, Mahayuti members are free to contest local bodies polls independently,' he remarked.

The election schedule for local bodies like municipal councils, nagar panchayats, and zilla parishads remains unfinalized. The ruling Mahayuti alliance encompasses Shiv Sena, BJP, and Pawar-led NCP. Amid internal party disputes, Pawar stressed that Pimpri Chinchwad's name is synonymous with his own. He rebutted claims by his uncle Sharad Pawar, who credited his government for the township's development. Regarding election candidates, Pawar assured representation of 'new and old faces' across societal sections. He also denied obstructing Sharad Pawar's participation in a recent DPDC meeting, attributing Supriya Sule's allegations to a bid for sympathy. Additionally, Pawar disclosed meetings with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Home Minister Amit Shah concerning development matters.