Mumbai: For the first time since the NCP split in 2023, Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule appeared together on a political stage during the Maharashtra municipal election campaign. The faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) headed by his uncle Sharad Pawar jointly released their election manifesto for the Pune Municipal Corporation on Saturday, sparking fresh discussions in state political circles.
Ajit Pawar and NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule shared the stage at a joint press conference. Several senior NCP (SP) leaders, who had so far maintained distance from the campaign, were also present at the event.
Focus on Pune’s Development
Ajit Pawar said the manifesto is centred around key civic issues in Pune. The election document promises improvements in piped water supply, measures to ease traffic congestion, pothole-free roads, enhanced cleanliness, high-tech healthcare services, pollution control and slum rehabilitation.
Sharp Attack on BJP
Despite being part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, Ajit Pawar continued to criticise the local BJP leadership. He alleged that despite having governments at both the state and Centre, and despite receiving adequate funding, the BJP allowed development in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to derail. The BJP controlled both civic bodies from 2017 to 2022.
Key Promises in the Manifesto:
- Fixing 33 missing road links across the city, reducing congestion and widening major roads to improve traffic flow.
- Free travel for commuters in buses and metro services.
- Establishing a hospital within a two-kilometre radius to ensure accessible primary healthcare.
- Granting a 20% property tax rebate and a ‘Green Society’ certificate to housing societies adopting eco-friendly practices.
In a significant political development, the Pawar family has joined hands for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad local body polls, even while their factions remain aligned with different alliances at the state and national levels—a move seen as an interesting shift in Maharashtra’s political dynamics.
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