Pune, Jan 10 (NationPress) In a notable political development, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar alongside NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule shared a platform for the first time since their June 2023 split, unveiling a collaborative manifesto aimed at fostering an inclusive and developed Pune.

This significant event marks a pivotal moment in Maharashtra's political dynamics, as the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) publicly indicated a “truce for Pune” on Saturday.

Ajit Pawar stated that the “friction within the family has been resolved” for the betterment of the city, while Supriya Sule stressed that this alliance is focused solely on the upcoming civic elections.

The alliance, formed explicitly to contest the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, seeks to consolidate the Pawar family's historic political stronghold.

Leaders from both factions underscored that their primary objective is to avert a vote split that could favor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is eyeing a consecutive term in the civic body.

The manifesto highlights several urban-centric initiatives pertaining to infrastructure, water management, and urban mobility. There is a commitment to hasten the Pune Metro expansion and tackle the city's persistent traffic issues through new flyovers and enhanced public transport.

Additionally, a pledge has been made to expedite the subsequent phases of the Pune Metro and expand the PMPML bus fleet with 100% electric vehicles to mitigate traffic congestion.

The alliance guarantees a 24/7 water supply to the merged villages and modernizes drainage systems while constructing new sewage treatment plants (STPs) to revitalize the Mula-Mutha river. It promises to eradicate the “pothole culture” by transitioning to high-quality cement-concrete roads and establishing dedicated “missing links” in the city’s ring road.

The manifesto also emphasizes “Green Pune” initiatives, advocating for the preservation of the city’s hills and river rejuvenation projects. Both parties have committed to creating specialized skill development centers for the large student population, including the establishment of “Pune Skill Hubs” to provide vocational training for local youth.

The alliance promises enhanced financial support for women-led self-help groups (SHGs), mirroring the “Ladki Bahin” model of civic-level support, while digitizing all municipal services to ensure “Zero-Touch” governance for building permissions, property tax payments, and grievance resolution.

The sight of the cousins sharing a stage conveys a powerful message to party members. While the factions remain distinct at state and national levels, this local collaboration indicates a strategic shift.

“This decision has been made in the interest of Pune’s development. We may pursue different routes elsewhere, but for our home ground, we stand united,” remarked a senior party leader during the launch.

Despite this show of unity, the alliance faces internal challenges. Some local leaders, including former NCP (SP) city unit chief Prashant Jagtap, initially voiced dissent regarding the coalition, though the top leadership seems intent on securing the “Pawar bastion”.