In a significant political development within Maharashtra, the two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have set aside their state-level differences to form an electoral alliance for the upcoming local body polls in Kolhapur. This marks the first instance of collaboration between the groups led by veteran leader Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, since their split in 2023.
The Chandgad Alliance: A New Front is Born
The announcement for this unprecedented partnership was made public on Monday by NCP leader and Mahayuti Minister Hasan Mushrif during a press conference in Kolhapur. The event was notably attended by leaders from both sides: Nandatai Bhabhulkar from the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Rajesh Patil from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The new coalition has been formally named the 'Shahar Vikas Aghadi' (City Development Front).
The decision to join forces was finalized during a meeting held in Gadhinglaj, with the common objective of contesting the Chandgad Nagar Panchayat elections, which are scheduled for next month. Leaders from both factions emphasized that their union was driven by a shared progressive ideology aimed at local development.
Context and Reactions to the Political Truce
This local-level alliance emerges just days after Sharad Pawar instructed his party leaders to seek partnerships with all like-minded parties except the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in local self-government body polls. The collaboration is particularly striking given the fierce rivalry that has defined the relationship between the two factions at the state level since Ajit Pawar's rebellion in 2023, which saw him join the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, the Mahayuti.
Expressing his confidence in the new front, Minister Hasan Mushrif stated, "Our unity will ensure our victory in the Nagar Panchayat elections." He also hinted that other parties and leaders are prepared to join their alliance. Meanwhile, Congress MLC Satej Patil downplayed the significance of the move, calling it a common occurrence in local body politics that has now gained visibility due to the press conference.
A Look Back at the NCP Split
The backdrop to this event is the major schism within the NCP in 2023, when Ajit Pawar parted ways with his uncle, Sharad Pawar, and formed a separate group with a significant number of MLAs. The Election Commission subsequently recognized Ajit Pawar's faction as the official NCP, allotting it the party's symbol, while Sharad Pawar's group was designated as NCP (SP). Since the split, the two groups have been direct opponents in major elections, including the Lok Sabha and state assembly polls, making this local body alliance a notable departure from the established pattern.
This strategic coming together in Kolhapur's Chandgad demonstrates the fluid and often pragmatic nature of Indian politics, where local electoral calculations can temporarily override broader national and state-level political rivalries.
