Fri Dec 26 11:01:29 UTC 2025: Headline: Pawar Clans Hint at Potential Reunion as Maharashtra Politics Heat Up

Mumbai, India – Weeks ahead of crucial municipal elections, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Maharashtra’s political landscape is witnessing a potential realignment within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Sources suggest that factions led by Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Ajit Pawar, are exploring a reunion amidst growing frustrations with their respective alliances.

Ajit Pawar, who joined the BJP-led Mahayuti government in July 2023, is reportedly facing marginalization within the alliance. The BJP reportedly blocked his attempt to nominate ex-minister Nawab Malik as the face of his NCP’s Mumbai election campaign, citing concerns over Malik’s alleged ties to underworld figures and the potential alienation of BJP’s Hindu base by NCP’s Muslim and Dalit support.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar is finding himself increasingly sidelined within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition bloc, particularly with the recent alliance between the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj. With Congress opting to contest the BMC election independently and Sharad Pawar’s NCP squeezed out of MVA seat-share talks, both alliances are carefully watching the NCP’s next move.

Speculation of a Pawar reunion has intensified following a meeting between Ajit Pawar and Rohit Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew, to discuss seat-sharing for the Pune Municipal Corporation election. A key statement urging the Sharad Pawar faction to return to using the “clock” symbol, now held by the Ajit Pawar group, further fueled these rumors.

Sources indicate that Ajit Pawar may also be considering a “go it alone” strategy, viewing the upcoming elections as an opportunity to gauge the strength of his NCP faction independently. A strong performance could pave the way for potential reconciliation talks with his uncle’s faction, though extensive negotiations would be required to accommodate the interests of all ministers and MLAs.

The upcoming municipal elections are poised to be a pivotal moment in Maharashtra politics, potentially reshaping alliances and setting the stage for the federal and state polls in 2029.

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