NCP Factions Clash in Pune Wards Despite Alliance, Joshi-Shitole Face-Off

• NCP factions (Ajit Pawar's and Sharad Pawar's) are contesting against each other in some Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal wards despite an alliance.
• In Ward C of Ward No. 30, Nivedita Joshi (Ajit Pawar's NCP) and Manisha Shitole (Sharad Pawar's NCP) are direct opponents.
• The alliance was formed to regain Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, lost to BJP in 2017, after eight years.
• Delay in alliance decision led to candidates from both sides filing nominations; some withdrew, but others persisted.
• Deputy CM Ajit Pawar stated that candidates announced by his NCP faction are the official ones.

Why It Matters: NCP alliance faces internal conflict as factions contest against each other in Pune wards.