Shiv Sena Signals Possible Tie-Up with NCP Factions Ahead of High-Stakes Pune Civic Polls

Pune: With the Pune Municipal Corporation elections scheduled for January 15, political alignments in the city are rapidly evolving. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is reportedly exploring the possibility of working with both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party, indicating a fresh round of negotiations ahead of the crucial civic contest.

Speculation intensified after Shiv Sena leader Ravindra Dhangekar was seen meeting Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar. The meeting sparked rumours of a party switch, which Dhangekar firmly dismissed. He reiterated his loyalty to Shiv Sena, invoking the party’s “bow and arrow” symbol, and clarified that his visit was driven by organisational matters raised by party workers.

On questions surrounding a potential alliance, Dhangekar maintained that no final discussions had taken place. He said that any decision regarding partnerships would be taken by Eknath Shinde, stressing that the leadership would weigh political realities before making an announcement.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena’s Pune city unit has made its position clear on one front. City chief Pramod Bhangire stated that the party would not align with the BJP in Pune for the municipal polls. However, he stopped short of ruling out cooperation with the NCP factions, keeping political options open.

Adding another layer to the developing scenario, the two NCP factions have already agreed to work together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar said the decision emerged after extensive consultations with local workers, including interactions led by Supriya Sule. He emphasised that both groups would contest under their own symbols and that the alliance was shaped at the grassroots level, without direct involvement from senior leader Sharad Pawar.