Sharad Pawar rules out alliance with rival faction ahead of local body polls

The refusal comes after fragmented alliances and unexpected combinations emerged in the recent municipal council and nagar panchayat elections

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday conveyed to his party leaders of not joining hands with the other faction led by Ajit Pawar for the upcoming local self-government polls, according to Pune unit president Prashant Jagtap who met the veteran leader in the morning.

Pawar categorically told us that NCP (SP) will not join hands with the other faction, said Jagtap. (HT FILE)

In the meeting, Jagtap presented different scenarios — either to contest elections together with Ajit Pawar’s group or run separately, possibly aligning with the larger opposition front Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The refusal comes after fragmented alliances and unexpected combinations emerged in the recent municipal council and nagar panchayat elections — prompting some within both factions to push for a larger alliance during the municipal corporation polls.

“Pawar categorically told us that NCP (SP) will not join hands with the other faction,” said Jagtap. Earlier last week, Jagtap had stated that he will resign from the party if both NCPs come together.