Sixteen Former Corporators Including Two Ex-Mayors Join Ajit Pawar’s NCP Faction

Sixteen former corporators, including two former mayors, have joined the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, bolstering its strength ahead of upcoming local elections in Maharashtra.

Pune, December 19, 2025 – A significant political shift has taken place in Maharashtra as sixteen former corporators, including two former mayors, have joined the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party. The influx of experienced local leaders is seen as a boost for Ajit Pawar’s camp as political activity accelerates ahead of key local body elections in the state

The group of former corporators comprised veterans from various wards and civic bodies, many of whom have served multiple terms and built strong grassroots networks. Their decision to align with the Ajit Pawar faction reflects broader realignments within state politics and underscores the appeal of his leadership among seasoned local representatives.

Among those who joined were two former mayors who had previously held influential positions in municipal corporations. Their participation brings not only experience but also symbolic weight to the faction’s campaign efforts. Local leaders welcomed the former mayors, saying their knowledge of civic governance and urban issues will strengthen the faction’s ability to connect with voters.

Ajit Pawar met with the leaders at a rally in Pune where he welcomed them into the fold. In his remarks, he praised their service to local communities and emphasised that their decision to join reflects shared priorities on addressing civic concerns, infrastructure development and quality of life issues. Pawar said that unity and strong leadership are vital as parties prepare for elections across municipal corporations and councils.

Political analysts say the move could reshape some local electoral dynamics, especially in areas where the former corporators maintain influence. Their established presence among voters gives the Ajit Pawar faction an advantage in outreach and organisation at the ward level. With civic issues such as roads, water supply, sanitation and public transport dominating urban discourse, experienced leaders can play a key role in campaign strategy.

Opposition parties have noted the development and responded with mixed reactions. Some leaders criticised the defections as opportunistic, arguing that former corporators are switching sides to improve their electoral prospects rather than on the basis of ideological alignment. Others acknowledged that political realignments are common ahead of elections and that all parties are seeking to strengthen their teams.

Supporters of the Ajit Pawar faction, however, welcomed the additions, saying that experienced civic leaders are needed to drive effective governance. Many residents in Pune and neighbouring cities said they expect leaders with proven track records to focus on practical solutions for urban challenges. Some expressed optimism that the faction’s expanded leadership base could translate into more responsive municipal administration if elected.

The former mayors and corporators themselves cited a desire to work on broader civic issues and align with a faction they feel is well positioned to make an impact. In conversations with local media, some spoke about the importance of collaborative leadership and collective problem-solving in addressing persistent urban issues.

As local body elections draw nearer, all political camps are intensifying their efforts to build strong teams, finalise candidate lists and articulate campaign messages that resonate with voters. The addition of seasoned civic leaders to Ajit Pawar’s faction may give it momentum, especially in urban constituencies where electoral margins can be tight and organisational strength matters.

For now, election watchers will be closely observing how this development affects voter sentiment and campaign dynamics. With multiple municipal corporations and councils up for election, the role of experienced local leaders could be a defining factor in how parties perform at the grassroots level.

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