Pune civic polls: Sanjay Raut questions NCP alliance, seeks clarity from Sharad Pawar

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut while addressing a press conference on Monday. (Pic/screengrab from X, PTI)

The political spectrum across Maharashtra is now looking a lot more interesting after NCP (SP) and NCP joined hands for Pune and PCMC civic polls. Hours after Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) joined hands with Ajit Pawar's NCP for Pune civic polls, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut raised sharp questions over the political and ideological implications of the move.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, while addressing the media on Monday, said, "This issue is limited to Pimpri-Chinchwad. As far as I think, they will not be in an alliance in Pune."

Reacting to reports of both NCP factions coming together for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, Raut said the understanding appeared to be limited in scope. The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP further stressed that this issue is limited to Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune civic polls. As far as I think, they will not be in an alliance in Pune.

Indicating that the arrangement may not turn into an alliance, Sanjay Raut said that Ajit Pawar will be answerable to the BJP if he shakes hands with the NCP (SP) on a broader scale.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, while addressing the media, also questioned the decision in the context of Sharad Pawar's long-standing opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He added, "Sharad Pawar needs to answer this, as he has always opposed the BJP, but now they are going with them," Raut said, referring to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP's alliance with the BJP in the Maharashtra government.

Escalating his criticism, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP said that the development warranted responses not just from Sharad Pawar but also from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Hinting that the local-level alliance has broader political ramifications, he stressed, "Ajit Pawar and Amit Shah need to respond to this."

BJP and Shiv Sena announce seat-sharing arrangement on 207 seats

BJP, contesting alongside Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, has reached a seat-sharing agreement on 207 seats for the BMC polls, reported ANI.

Mumbai BJP chief Amit Satam, while talking to the media on Monday, said, "We have also reached an agreement on seat sharing. The BJP will contest 128 seats, and the Shiv Sena will contest 79 seats. Seat-sharing talks have concluded for 207 seats. For the remaining 20 seats, we will decide based on the candidate and the party after a decision is made at the higher level," as cited by ANI.

On the other hand, Congress has joined hands with Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), which will contest 62 seats in the BMC polls, reported ANI.

(With inputs from ANI)