Sharad Pawar Urges Readiness Amid Maharashtra Election Directive

Sharad Pawar, NCP (SP) chief, emphasized the imperative of readiness as the Supreme Court mandates Maharashtra to conduct local body elections by January 2026. The party is considering contesting independently or maintaining its alliance, while focusing on addressing Pune's civic challenges and promoting Gandhian ideology.

The Supreme Court has issued a directive for Maharashtra to conduct long-stalled local elections by January 31, 2026, announced Sharad Pawar, NCP (SP) chief, on Tuesday. Speaking at a party meeting, Pawar outlined the importance of readiness among party ranks for the impending elections.

Pawar indicated that the party's electoral strategy was still undecided, weighing options between going solo or continuing alliances with parties like Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress. He emphasized a campaign based on the ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru while highlighting the significance of addressing civic challenges in Pune.

The state's electoral body faced criticism from the apex court for failing to comply with previous orders. Pawar stressed the need for capable candidates and effective representation in civic bodies, asserting the relevance of Congress's foundational ideology in tackling contemporary urban issues.

(With inputs from agencies.)