Ajit and Sharad Pawar Factions Reunite for Pimpri-Chinchwad Civic Polls After Two-Year Rift

In a significant political development ahead of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, the rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar have decided to come together, more than two years after a dramatic split reshaped Maharashtra politics.

Addressing a campaign rally on Sunday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced the alliance, signalling a temporary truce between the two camps. Using electoral symbolism to underline the message, he said the ‘clock’ and the ‘tutari’ (curved trumpet) — the respective symbols of the two factions — had united for the civic polls, adding that the Pawar family had come together for the larger political interest of the region.

Symbols, Stakes and Strategy

Ajit Pawar’s faction, which the Election Commission has recognised as the official NCP, continues to use the party’s traditional ‘clock’ symbol. Sharad Pawar’s faction, officially known as NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), contests elections under the ‘tutari’ symbol. Their decision to jointly contest the PCMC elections highlights the high political stakes attached to one of Maharashtra’s most influential urban local bodies, which governs a major industrial and residential hub near Pune.

Political observers say the alliance is driven by local electoral arithmetic rather than a full-scale reunion, reflecting the pragmatic nature of municipal politics where vote consolidation often outweighs ideological divides.

How the NCP Split in 2023

Founded in 1999 by veteran leader Sharad Pawar, the NCP remained a dominant force in Maharashtra for over two decades. Ajit Pawar, his nephew, rose through the ranks to become one of the party’s most powerful leaders, serving multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister.

The party fractured in 2023 when Ajit Pawar, along with several senior leaders and MLAs, broke away and joined the BJP–Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance. He was swiftly sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, triggering one of the most consequential political realignments in the state.

At the time, Ajit Pawar argued that the split was necessary for governance and development, while also openly questioning Sharad Pawar’s continued leadership of the party despite his advanced age. His remarks about leadership renewal and stability drew national attention and exposed deep internal disagreements.

Sharad Pawar firmly rejected the criticism, asserting that age had not diminished his political effectiveness and signalling his intent to remain active in public life.

Two Parties, One Legacy

Following the split, the NCP effectively became two separate political entities. The Election Commission later ruled in favour of Ajit Pawar’s group, recognising it as the legitimate NCP and allotting it the party name and ‘clock’ symbol. Sharad Pawar’s faction regrouped as NCP-SP and continued its political journey independently.

The two sides contested subsequent elections separately, often targeting each other directly. After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in which Ajit Pawar’s faction underperformed in Maharashtra, he publicly admitted that distancing himself from family and longtime supporters had been a political miscalculation.

What This Reunion Means

While leaders from both camps have not indicated a broader reconciliation beyond the civic polls, the joint move reflects an acknowledgement of shared political roots and mutual dependence in key regions. Analysts note that the outcome of the Pimpri-Chinchwad elections could influence future alignments ahead of larger state and national contests.

For now, the coming together of the ‘clock’ and the ‘tutari’ marks a rare moment of unity in a party long defined by internal power struggles — and underscores how local elections can redraw even the deepest political fault lines.