BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP lock horns in Alandi Nagar Parishad election as Shinde’s Shiv Sena keeps distance
Alandi
The 2025 Alandi Nagar Parishad election has turned into a direct clash between the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, while Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena remains non-committal, signalling strain within the Mahayuti alliance.
Alandi, Pune| Nov 21, 2025 – :
The upcoming Alandi Nagar Parishad election has grown into an intense political contest as the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP face each other directly, exposing internal tension within the Mahayuti alliance. With just days left before voting, both parties have fielded strong candidates for the president’s post, setting the stage for a rare intra-alliance showdown. Adding to the suspense, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena has not taken a clear stance, leaving both sides uncertain about its eventual support.
Alandi, a key pilgrimage town in Pune district, has 25,331 registered voters spread across ten wards. Voting is scheduled for December 2, with counting on December 3. Even before campaigning reached full swing, the nomination process created buzz when both the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP filed separate candidates for the top spot. The BJP is backing Prashant Popat Kurhade, while the NCP has nominated Prakash Pandharinath Kurhade. The two candidates, sharing the same surname but representing rival camps, have become central figures in a contest that now reflects deeper alliance politics.
Shinde’s Shiv Sena has so far maintained a cautious distance, fielding only ward-level candidates and avoiding any declaration of support for either side in the president’s race. Party workers in the area say the leadership wants to avoid alienating either ally in a situation where control of Alandi could shift rapidly depending on voter sentiment. The town has traditionally been politically sensitive due to its religious importance and the constant inflow of pilgrims, making civic issues harder to manage and more visible during election season.
Residents say their priorities remain water supply, drainage management, traffic regulation and improving infrastructure for visiting devotees. While candidates continue to highlight local problems, much of the campaign narrative has turned into a proxy battle about influence within the Mahayuti. The BJP’s ground machinery is working to retain its dominance in Pune district, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP is trying to demonstrate that it holds meaningful strength independent of the BJP.
Political analysts believe this contest will have implications well beyond Alandi. It could serve as an early indicator of how stable the Mahayuti really is when local interests collide with alliance expectations. If the BJP wins without external support, it strengthens its command over the coalition. If Ajit Pawar’s NCP wins, it signals that the party can successfully challenge the BJP on the local turf. The undecided position of Shinde’s Shiv Sena keeps the equation fluid, and many believe a last-minute endorsement could sway undecided voters.
Campaigning on the ground has picked up pace, with both sides relying heavily on door-to-door outreach. Voters say the rivalry has intensified conversations within neighbourhoods, and even undecided voters acknowledge that this election feels larger than a routine municipal contest. Party workers are attempting to secure commitments early, aware that even small swings in voter turnout can impact the final result in a ten-ward body.
With nomination withdrawals concluded and campaigning entering its final stretch, Alandi is preparing for a high-voltage election that will test party discipline, alliance trust and ground-level mobilisation. The outcome on December 3 will show whether the Mahayuti partners can weather internal competition or whether the cracks visible today grow wider across Maharashtra’s broader political landscape.
