Big Blow to Ajit Pawar Ahead of Local Elections as Pathardi Candidate Withdraws
Ajit Pawar
Just days before municipal polling in Maharashtra, a key Ajit Pawar NCP candidate has withdrawn from the Pathardi race, turning a three-cornered fight into a direct contest and raising questions about the faction’s strength.
Pune, December 10, 2025 – Maharashtra’s political scene has taken another unexpected turn ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. In Pathardi, the Ajit Pawar led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party suffered a serious jolt when its candidate for the post of town president stepped back from the contest only days before polling. The move has instantly reshaped the battle for control of the municipal council and triggered fresh discussion about the internal health of the Ajit Pawar group.
Pathardi was initially gearing up for a three-way contest involving the Ajit Pawar faction, the Sharad Pawar faction, and the ruling establishment at the state level. The sudden withdrawal by the Ajit Pawar camp’s nominee has narrowed that field, effectively turning the contest into a direct fight between the Sharad Pawar group and its main rival. For local voters, the change has added an element of surprise and may influence turnout and voting behavior as polling day approaches.
Political observers say that this isn’t just a routine development. Candidate withdrawals this close to voting day are rare, and when they occur, they tend to indicate deeper tensions or organizational shortcomings inside a party. In this case, the incident fuels talk that the Ajit Pawar faction might be struggling to keep its network intact at the grassroots level. Supporters of the Sharad Pawar faction are already treating the development as proof of shifting momentum in their favor.
The timing has also intensified scrutiny on the broader situation inside the Ajit Pawar camp. Over the past several months, there have been reported instances of corporators, municipal representatives, and local leaders returning to the Sharad Pawar side. Every such switch matters. Local body elections are often built on personal networks and ground-level mobilization. When leaders leave, they tend to take workers and loyal voters with them, which weakens campaign infrastructure long before ballots are cast.
For the Sharad Pawar faction, the withdrawal could serve as a strategic advantage. With a direct contest now on the cards, they can allocate more resources toward consolidating their position, rather than dividing attention and funding across multiple opponents. Land issues, local development, and leadership credibility are already central themes in Pathardi. By simplifying the race, the Sharad Pawar camp may find it easier to highlight these issues and pitch themselves as the more stable choice.
Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar group faces uncomfortable questions. Municipal elections might be smaller than assembly or parliamentary contests, but they often reveal the real shape of political strength. These elections send signals about which leaders enjoy trust at the grassroots level and which factions have the machinery to mobilize support. A poor showing could damage morale and influence alliances as Maharashtra heads toward more significant state-level battles in the coming months.
With the withdrawal altering Pathardi’s election map, attention will now shift to how voters respond at the booth. Local elections can change suddenly, but the current situation suggests a challenging phase for Ajit Pawar’s team. Whether they can recover in other municipalities or regroup in time for future electoral tests will be something political watchers will follow closely across Maharashtra.
