Ajit Pawar says workers of both NCPs want to unite: 'Family tensions have ended'

The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, split two years ago following a mutiny by his nephew, Ajit Pawar.

• Ajit Pawar: NCP family tensions resolved before Maharashtra civic polls
• Both NCP factions unite for Pimpri-Chinchwad elections on party workers' demand
• Elections for 29 Maharashtra municipal corporations set for January 15

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Ahead of the Maharashtra civic election, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar said all tensions within the Pawar family have been resolved, according to a report by NDTV.

"The workers of both parties want to unite. The two NCPs are together now. All tensions in our family have ended," Ajit said.

The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, split in July 2023 after Ajit Pawar walked away with 41 MLAs and joined the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government.

The Election Commission (EC) resolved the dispute between the Ajit Pawar faction and the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The EC granted the Ajit Pawar camp the party's name and symbol after multiple hearings.

Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter and Ajit Pawar's cousin, also confirmed to NDTV that the two NCP factions have come together for the Pimpri-Chinchwad polls on the demand of party workers. "There has been no discussion on whether this alliance with Ajit Pawar will continue," she told NDTV.

She also rubbished rumours of NCP (SP) joining Maharashtra's BJP-led government and her taking charge as a minister. "Let those who are happy with such rumours talk about them," she said.

Elections to 29 municipal corporations, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies, across the state are scheduled for January 15. Votes will be counted the next day.

Meanwhile, responding to a question on why Sule has not been actively seen campaigning in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pawar said the focus of leaders varies by region.

“Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are my home districts, so I am spending maximum time here,” he said. “Sunil Tatkare has also visited Pune, and other leaders are campaigning in their respective districts. I have been informed that Supriya Sule will be visiting the city soon for campaigning.”