Ajit Pawar Dials Congress for Pune Civic Polls Tie-up Amid Mahayuti Tensions

• Ajit Pawar's NCP, part of BJP-led Mahayuti, initiated talks with Congress for an alliance in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) polls.
• Pawar reportedly contacted Congress leader Satej Patil to explore a local tie-up, confirmed by Congress sources.
• Congress stated any alliance outside Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) requires high command approval and Ajit Pawar's party must leave Mahayuti.
• Congress, facing organizational struggles in Pune, views a local alliance as crucial to counter BJP and prevent vote division.
• Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) expressed unease, fearing cadre confusion and dilution of ideological stance if Ajit Pawar aligns with Congress.

Why It Matters: Ajit Pawar's outreach to Congress for Pune civic polls signals potential shifts and internal party tensions.