Thu Dec 18 07:57:47 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut strongly criticized the possibility of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) [NCP(SP)] forming an alliance with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation elections, stating it would be tantamount to aligning with the BJP. He claimed Ajit Pawar is an agent of the BJP. While the BJP and NCP have publicly stated they won’t officially ally in Pune, Raut suggests any cooperation with Ajit Pawar would effectively strengthen the BJP. Raut also discussed potential alliances between the NCP(SP), Sena (UBT), and MNS in Nashik and Thane. He also made a unsubstantiated claim about the Shiv Sena’s budget for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. Maharashtra is preparing for municipal elections on January 15, 2026.

News Article:

NCP(SP) Alliance with Ajit Pawar’s NCP Would Strengthen BJP, Claims Sena (UBT) Leader Raut

Mumbai, December 18, 2025 – A potential alliance between the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) [NCP(SP)] and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections has drawn sharp criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. Speaking to reporters today, Raut asserted that such a move would be equivalent to joining forces with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Having an alliance with Ajit Pawar would be akin to joining hands with the BJP,” Raut stated. “Ajit Pawar is an agent of the BJP, and any truck with him will mean strengthening the BJP.”

Raut confirmed plans to meet with NCP(SP) president Sharad Pawar to discuss the issue.

While Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis previously announced that the BJP and the NCP wouldn’t form a formal alliance in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, the Sena (UBT) remains wary of any cooperation with Ajit Pawar’s faction.

Raut indicated that Sharad Pawar is receptive to the idea of a coalition between the Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for the upcoming civic body polls. He further suggested that the NCP(SP) would likely ally with the Sena (UBT) and MNS in Nashik and Thane.

In a controversial statement, Raut also alleged that the Shiv Sena had a budget of ₹10,000 crore for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, promising ₹10 crore to each candidate, though he provided no evidence to support his claim.

Maharashtra is slated to hold elections for its 29 municipal corporations on January 15, 2026, with the results expected the following day. The political landscape remains fluid as parties strategize and negotiate potential alliances ahead of the crucial polls.

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