Overview
- Fadnavis said the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP agreed to contest Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad as a “friendly” fight without attacking each other, alleging Pawar broke that restraint.
- He questioned pledges of free Metro and civic bus travel, citing a legally mandated fare-fixation committee and funding limits that restrict fare waivers.
- Fadnavis criticized rival candidate selections by referencing tickets to relatives of jailed accused Bandu Andekar, asserting such individuals belong in jail rather than civic office.
- Ajit Pawar responded that he is highlighting governance failures rather than making personal attacks, accusing the BJP of poor performance in the last PCMC term.
- Pawar released a joint NCP–NCP (SP) manifesto promising measures such as a property tax waiver for small homes, daily water supply, and free bus and Metro travel, with voting on January 15 and results on January 16.