NEW DELHI: Amid ongoing speculation of an alliance ahead of the BMC polls, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday met NCP (SP) leader Azam Pansare in Pimpri-Chinchwad.Talking to reporters after the meeting, Pansare said that the NCP (SP) “wishes” to have an alliance with Ajit Pawar’s faction.“Ajit Pawar came to meet me after a long time. We had a lot of discussions on general issues. We wish to have an alliance (between NCP SP and NCP). He told me that a decision will be taken soon,” Pansare said.This comes days after NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule hinted at a possible alliance, saying that her party is in talks with Ajit Pawar and that senior party leaders have spoken to each other.“Of course, we are looking at all alliances. Ajit Pawar constantly says that he has not given up that ideology. Right now, the focus is on the corporation elections. A lot of our colleagues have spoken to each other,” Sule had said.“We are engaged in dialogue with them, but no decision or final offer has come,” she added.Earlier, Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat also said that efforts were under way in Pune to bring both NCP groups together.“Both the NCPs are coming together by forming an alliance for the upcoming municipal corporation elections,” he said, adding that such local-level adjustments could be the beginning of a broader political understanding.The undivided NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, split in 2023, with the Ajit Pawar-led faction not only joining the BJP–Sena alliance in the state government but also bagging the “real NCP” status through an Election Commission ruling.The NCP (SP) has since been contesting against the NCP in various polls and on social issues.As municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra are expected to be held next month, various parties have been working on different alliance combinations. With the BJP having established its dominance in both the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) areas, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has been contemplating an alliance with the senior Pawar’s party in both these municipal corporations of Pune district.
