Pune Municipal Election Twist: Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena Breaks Away from BJP, Aligns with Ajit Pawar NCP

A major political twist in Pune as Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena exits BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and joins hands with Ajit Pawar’s NCP ahead of municipal elections.

December 29, 2025 | Pune – Pune’s political scene witnessed a dramatic twist on December 29, 2025, as the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reportedly moved away from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and aligned itself with the Nationalist Congress Party faction headed by Ajit Pawar for the upcoming municipal corporation elections. The unexpected development has reshaped political equations in one of Maharashtra’s most crucial urban battlegrounds.

According to political sources, the decision emerged after prolonged discussions and growing dissatisfaction over seat-sharing arrangements within the Mahayuti alliance. While the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) continue to be partners at the state level, local-level dynamics in Pune appear to have prompted a strategic recalibration. The alliance with Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction is being viewed as a tactical move aimed at strengthening electoral prospects in closely contested wards.

Pune Municipal Corporation elections are known for their intense competition, where local leadership, caste equations, and organisational strength often outweigh broader state-level alliances. Analysts point out that Pune has historically seen fluid alliances, with parties making pragmatic choices based on ground realities rather than ideological rigidity. In this context, the Shinde Sena’s decision is seen as an attempt to secure better bargaining power and avoid internal vote splitting.

Sources indicate that the Shiv Sena Shinde faction was seeking a more favorable seat-sharing formula with the BJP in Pune, which reportedly did not materialize as expected. Aligning with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, which has a strong presence in certain pockets of the city and surrounding areas, is believed to offer a more balanced electoral arrangement.

The move has triggered sharp political reactions. BJP leaders have expressed surprise over the development, maintaining that discussions were ongoing and that no final rupture had been officially communicated. They have reiterated that the Mahayuti alliance remains strong at the state level and suggested that local-level arrangements should not be misconstrued as a larger political fallout.

From the NCP Ajit Pawar camp, the development has been projected as a step toward pragmatic and development-focused politics. Leaders from the faction stated that the alliance aims to provide stable and effective civic governance in Pune, focusing on infrastructure, transport, water supply, and urban planning. They emphasized that municipal elections demand cooperation beyond traditional political boundaries.

Opposition parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress, have seized upon the development to question the stability and coherence of the ruling alliance. They argue that repeated alliance shifts expose internal contradictions and confusion among ruling partners. Political observers, however, caution that such narratives are part of election-season rhetoric and that voters ultimately prioritize local issues.

The twist has also generated mixed reactions among party workers. While some Shiv Sena Shinde faction workers see the alliance with NCP as an opportunity to strengthen their position, others express concern about coordination challenges on the ground. Similarly, BJP workers in Pune are reportedly reassessing campaign strategies in light of the changed equations.

Political analysts believe that the real impact of the alliance shift will depend on how effectively the partners coordinate at the ward level. Candidate selection, messaging, and grassroots mobilisation will be critical in translating the new alliance into electoral gains. Pune’s electorate, known for its issue-based voting, is expected to closely evaluate candidates rather than alliance labels alone.

As of December 29, 2025, Pune’s political environment has entered a phase of heightened uncertainty and strategic maneuvering. The Shiv Sena Shinde faction’s decision to move away from the BJP locally and align with Ajit Pawar’s NCP has added a new dimension to the municipal election battle. Whether this bold realignment proves advantageous will become clear when voters head to the polls, but it has undeniably intensified the contest and reshaped Pune’s civic election narrative.

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