Pune’s municipal politics took an unexpected turn on Saturday when Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar appeared together on a public platform to jointly release the manifesto for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body elections, marking the first such shared appearance since the Nationalist Congress Party split more than two years ago. The moment carried symbolic weight in a city that has long been a stronghold of the Pawar family and remains electorally influential in western Maharashtra.The cousins, who now represent rival factions of the NCP following Ajit Pawar’s breakaway and alliance with the ruling coalition in the state, stood side by side as party workers and local leaders looked on. Their joint presence was framed as a pragmatic step focused on local governance rather than a broader political reconciliation, but it immediately fuelled speculation about tactical understandings ahead of a closely watched civic contest.
Supriya Sule, a senior leader of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction and a multiple-term parliamentarian from the Baramati region, emphasised issues such as urban infrastructure, water management, public transport and environmental sustainability in the manifesto. Ajit Pawar, now a deputy chief minister and leader of the NCP faction aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance, highlighted continuity in development projects and administrative efficiency, particularly in fast-growing urban clusters such as Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Both leaders stressed that civic elections demanded cooperation across political lines to address everyday concerns of residents. Their remarks avoided references to the bitter split that fractured the party in 2023, when Ajit Pawar led a group of legislators to join the state government, leaving the original NCP divided over leadership, symbols and organisational control.
The manifesto itself focused on bread-and-butter civic issues. It promised upgrades to roads and drainage systems, expansion of public health facilities, improvements in waste management, and renewed attention to affordable housing. There was also an emphasis on job creation through support for small businesses and technology-driven start-ups, reflecting Pune’s status as an education and technology hub.
Political analysts noted that the joint launch did not amount to a formal alliance between the two NCP factions but signalled a calculated effort to avoid a split in traditional vote banks that could benefit rival parties. Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have complex political landscapes, with influence shared among the NCP factions, the BJP, the Congress and emerging local groups. Even marginal shifts in support can alter the balance of power in civic bodies that control large budgets and urban planning decisions.
Ajit Pawar’s faction has sought to consolidate its administrative credentials by pointing to its role in the state government, while Supriya Sule has retained strong grassroots networks and personal goodwill in parts of Pune district. Their shared appearance suggested an acknowledgment that open rivalry at the municipal level could weaken both camps.
The development also underscored the enduring influence of the Pawar family in Maharashtra politics. Despite internal divisions, the family name continues to shape electoral narratives, particularly in western regions. Senior leaders from both sides privately acknowledged that voters often prioritise local performance and familiar leadership over factional disputes when it comes to municipal governance.
Opposition parties reacted cautiously. Leaders from the Congress described the event as a temporary arrangement driven by electoral arithmetic, while BJP figures maintained that civic elections would ultimately be decided by governance records rather than symbolism. Within the NCP ranks, reactions were mixed, with some workers welcoming the show of unity on local issues and others expressing unease about blurred political lines.