Ajit Pawar Allows NCP’s Raigad Unit to Decide Local Alliances Independently Ahead of Elections

Ajit Pawar gives Raigad NCP leaders freedom to decide alliances based on local conditions, signaling a shift in the party’s strategy ahead of Maharashtra’s civic polls.

Mumbai | November 5, 2025

Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar has made it clear that decisions about local alliances will be taken independently at the district level. During a meeting with party workers in Raigad, Pawar instructed the local NCP leadership to assess ground realities and decide on alliances based on what benefits the party most in the upcoming local body elections.

This announcement marks a shift in strategy, giving district units more autonomy instead of following a uniform state-level alliance policy. Pawar emphasized that the NCP should not rely solely on directives from the state leadership when it comes to local polls. Instead, he said, decisions should be made keeping in mind local political equations, the strength of the party in each area, and the nature of competition from other political fronts.

The instruction is significant because the NCP, under Ajit Pawar’s leadership, is part of the ruling Mahayuti government along with the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). However, in Raigad, there have been tensions between NCP and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders over seat sharing and political dominance at the municipal and panchayat levels. Pawar’s comments now give district leaders the freedom to decide whether to ally with Shiv Sena (UBT), the BJP, or contest independently.

Local sources say the move has created confusion among workers, as it signals flexibility that could either strengthen the NCP’s grassroots position or widen divisions with existing partners. Several party functionaries in Raigad have indicated a preference for aligning with the BJP over Shiv Sena (UBT), citing local rivalries and past coordination issues.

Political observers believe Ajit Pawar’s latest directive is part of a calculated move to preserve the NCP’s influence in regions where alliances may not be strategically beneficial. By allowing local units to decide independently, he is ensuring the party’s adaptability while retaining leverage within the broader Mahayuti coalition.

The decision has sparked new speculation about how the three-way balance between NCP, BJP, and Shiv Sena factions will play out in upcoming municipal and zilla parishad elections. While Pawar has downplayed any immediate political fallout, the directive underscores growing signs of internal friction within the coalition, especially at the grassroots level.

As the local body election schedule approaches, all eyes will be on how district-level NCP units interpret Pawar’s message — whether they maintain cooperation with traditional allies or take a more independent path to strengthen their local footing.

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