Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday weighed in on the political speculation surrounding the potential reunion of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar. While the two sides have come together in limited local arrangements for upcoming civic body elections, Fadnavis suggested that the present alliance should be viewed as a tactical, localized phenomenon rather than a full-scale political merger.

Speaking to reporters on the last day of campaigning for the January 15 municipal elections, Fadnavis acknowledged the alliance between the Sharad Pawar-led and Ajit Pawar-led factions in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad but cautioned against interpreting it as a larger political realignment. “They are contesting in alliance in just two municipal corporations. They have not merged officially,” he said. “This is more of a local phenomenon – leaders from both sides are trying to project that they are fighting together to keep their flock together.”

The comments come amid mounting speculation that the civic body tie-up could signal a broader attempt at reconciliation between the two NCP factions, which have remained bitter rivals at the state level since the party split. While the current cooperation appears limited to a few municipal corporations, political analysts say it underscores the fluid and pragmatic nature of Maharashtra’s electoral politics, where alliances often shift depending on local calculations.

Fadnavis, however, refused to dismiss the possibility of a more formal reunion between the two factions in the future. He pointed to the precedent set in 2019, when the undivided Shiv Sena joined hands with Congress and the NCP to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), despite ideological differences. “Bearing in mind the 2019 experience, I am cautious about this development and not dismissing any possibility,” he said. He added that if a broader realignment were to occur, the Mahayuti – the ruling alliance comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP – would respond accordingly. “If they come together in the future, we will think about it at that time,” Fadnavis noted.

According to the chief minister, the local alliance in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad is driven primarily by internal party dynamics rather than a strategic statewide plan. Leaders on both sides appear to be using the coalition to manage their support bases effectively in tightly contested civic elections, projecting unity to ensure maximum electoral advantage. “This is about keeping their flock together,” Fadnavis said, suggesting that local considerations, rather than overarching political ambitions, are shaping the temporary understanding.

The timing of Fadnavis’ remarks coincides with heightened attention on the Mahayuti’s prospects in the municipal elections. The alliance is aiming to consolidate its position in key civic bodies across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Nashik. The BJP-led coalition has projected confidence in its ability to retain control of major municipal corporations, emphasizing governance achievements and strategic campaigning.

At the same time, Maharashtra’s political landscape remains highly unpredictable. Alliances that appear unlikely in theory can take shape in practice, particularly in the run-up to state and national elections. Fadnavis’ cautious approach reflects this reality, acknowledging that even the most entrenched rivalries can be temporarily set aside when political expediency demands. Analysts note that the BJP’s vigilance toward potential NCP realignments is part of a broader strategy to maintain electoral dominance while navigating a complex multi-party environment.

The speculation over the Sharad-Ajit Pawar tie-up highlights the intricate interplay of personal ambitions, familial dynamics, and electoral pragmatism in Maharashtra politics. While Sharad Pawar has maintained a position of influence as a veteran politician and mentor within the NCP, Ajit Pawar has carved out his own space, at times challenging the senior leadership and asserting independent authority. These dynamics, combined with local electoral pressures, explain why temporary alliances may emerge even amid lingering factional rivalries.

Political observers say that while the current cooperation is limited, it may set the stage for more significant developments in the months ahead. Civic elections often serve as a testing ground for alliances, enabling parties to gauge voter sentiment, test messaging, and evaluate the strength of rival factions. In this context, the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad collaboration may be viewed as a pilot experiment, offering lessons for potential state-level negotiations in future elections.

Fadnavis’ remarks also signal the BJP-led Mahayuti’s readiness to adapt to political shifts. By acknowledging the local NCP cooperation while maintaining confidence in the alliance’s electoral prospects, the chief minister projected both caution and strategic foresight. The message to voters and political rivals is clear: while temporary arrangements may emerge, the Mahayuti remains focused on consolidating power and responding to changing political scenarios as they arise.

In conclusion, while the possibility of a broader reunion between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar cannot be entirely ruled out, the current arrangement appears to be tactical and geographically limited. Fadnavis’ comments reflect the reality of Maharashtra’s volatile political environment, where alliances are often pragmatic, fluid, and responsive to both local and state-level pressures. As the civic elections unfold on January 15, the outcome in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and other key municipal bodies will provide insight into how effectively the NCP factions can manage their temporary cooperation, and whether it could evolve into a more lasting political alignment in the state’s complex political theatre.

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