Pune, 16 December 2025: The long-standing speculation over whether the BJP and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would join hands for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections has finally ended. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that both parties will contest the elections separately in the two major civic bodies.
Speaking to the media after attending the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony of 53 civic projects at Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch in Pune, Fadnavis said the BJP would go solo in both cities.
He stated that Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are strongholds of both BJP and NCP, and therefore an alliance would not be appropriate. According to him, the BJP’s work over the past five years in Pune gives the party confidence to seek a fresh mandate independently.
Fadnavis clarified that while the ruling Mahayuti will attempt alliances in several parts of Maharashtra, the situation will differ from city to city. In some places, BJP and Shiv Sena may contest together, and in a few others, broader alliances could emerge.
However, in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, BJP and NCP will face each other directly. He added that this decision has already been discussed with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and that the contest would remain friendly, without political bitterness.
Addressing concerns over alleged irregularities in voter lists, the Chief Minister said such issues are not new and cannot be used as grounds to delay elections. He stressed that local self-government institutions are meant to be run by elected representatives, not administrators.
Fadnavis added that the Election Commission should work towards technological solutions, such as blockchain-based voter lists, to reduce errors in the future.
Reacting to former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan’s remarks about a “Marathi Prime Minister,” Fadnavis dismissed the statement sharply, saying such claims appear unrealistic and unnecessary. He advised senior leaders to avoid indulging in such speculation.
Fadnavis also underlined that prolonged rule by administrators in municipal bodies was never the intention of democracy and occurred only due to court proceedings. He reiterated that decisions on candidate selection would rest with party leadership and that there would be no poaching of candidates between alliance partners.
Confident about the upcoming civic elections, he said voters, including those in Mumbai, would stand by the BJP even if opposition forces attempted unity.
The Chief Minister concluded by stating that the Supreme Court’s verdict on reservations beyond 50 per cent would be final and binding on the government, closing the door on further debate on the issue during the civic polls.