Overview
- In Ambernath, Shiv Sena (Shinde) joined Ajit Pawar’s NCP with one independent to stake claim to the 60-member council, citing a 32-seat grouping that clears the majority mark of 31.
- The move challenges the BJP’s locally engineered Ambernath Vikas Aghadi, formed with Congress after the December 20 polls, following which Congress suspended 12 councillors over the tie-up.
- Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule shared a stage in Pune to release a joint manifesto for Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, a rare show of unity since the NCP split in 2023.
- The joint civic platform promises daily tap water, pothole-free roads, stronger healthcare, free PMPML and Metro travel proposals, a property tax waiver for homes up to 500 sq ft, and free tablets for students.
- Leaders described the Pune tie-up as a tactical arrangement for these polls, with Ajit Pawar saying “wait and watch” on future alignment, as Uddhav and Raj Thackeray held a first joint rally criticizing BJP candidate practices before the January 15 polling and January 16 count.