Ajit Pawar’s faction and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction united ahead of the January 15 elections. The manifesto was unveiled during a joint press conference in Pune, with Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule sharing the stage.
This collaboration is noteworthy as the two groups currently align with contrasting political coalitions. Ajit Pawar’s faction is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, while Sharad Pawar’s group is aligned with the opposition, Maha Vikas Aghadi. For these civic elections, that divide has been temporarily set aside.
Highlights of the joint manifesto for Pune
Ajit Pawar emphasized that the manifesto focuses on pressing civic issues in Pune. The document promises to enhance water supply, road infrastructure, waste management, traffic flow, healthcare services, and housing options. Additionally, it outlines a range of welfare and cost-relief initiatives related to transportation, education, and property taxes.
#WATCH | Pune | NCP-SCP’s Supriya Sule and NCP’s Ajit Pawar jointly address the press at the launch of their joint manifesto for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body elections pic.twitter.com/1QLtFF2F3G
— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2026
Key proposals
Free public transport: Provision of free travel on PMPML buses and Pune Metro for residents, along with improved feeder services to decrease reliance on private vehicles.
Water management: Implementation of daily tap water supply in all wards, elimination of tanker use, sensor-based leak detection, and increased water supply from Tata Mulshi dam.
Roads: Completion of missing road links and major upgrades, with a commitment to repair potholes within 72 hours and penalize contractors for delays.
Cleanliness: Aiming to elevate Pune to one of the top three cities in Swachh Survekshan by 2029, utilizing waste segregation, composting, sewage recycling, and renewable energy initiatives.
Healthcare: Expansion of public clinics, increased hospital bed capacity, low-cost diagnostic services via public-private partnerships, and telemedicine options.
Housing: In-situ slum rehabilitation with guaranteed time-bound completion, safeguards for existing lawful housing, and expedited regularization processes.
Education: Enhancements to government schools, provision of free tablets with data for students, and interest-free loans for skill-based self-employment opportunities.
Property relief: Exemption from property tax for homes up to 500 square feet starting April 2026.
Background to the alliance
The NCP faced a split in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar aligned with the Eknath Shinde-led government alongside several MLAs, which sparked legal disputes concerning the party’s name and symbol. Since then, the factions have primarily operated independently.
Currently, the civic elections have fostered a temporary alliance. The future after January 15 remains uncertain.
