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Ajit Pawar Divides Pune NCP Leadership as Merger Speculation Swirls

Sharad Pawar has met with his nephew Ajit Pawar repeatedly without confirming reunification plans ahead of Pune civic elections

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Overview

  • Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction split Pune into East and West zones with Sunil Tingre and Subhash Jagtap appointed as city presidents for the respective regions
  • The leadership reshuffle followed Deepak Mankar’s resignation as Pune city chief after he was booked in a police forgery case
  • Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar held multiple meetings recently, fueling speculation of a merger between their rival NCP factions
  • NCP-SP leader Anil Deshmukh denied any talks of reunification, saying the Pawar meetings focused on sugar and educational institute issues
  • A Supreme Court order to hold local body elections within four months has accelerated preparations, while the BJP aims to capture over 75 percent of Pune Municipal Corporation seats