Pawar Experiment Fails: Civic Poll Debacle for Sharad and Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra

• The 2026 Maharashtra municipal corporation election results show a significant setback for both factions of the NCP, led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar.
• Neither the NCP (SP) nor Ajit Pawar's NCP secured control of a single major municipal corporation, marking a historic low for the Pawar family.
• Key strongholds like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, once Pawar bastions, are now firmly controlled by the BJP for a second consecutive term.
• The 'Pawar experiment' of Sharad and Ajit Pawar contesting together post-2023 split failed, with voters rejecting their alliance despite seat coordination.
• The results highlight a weakening organizational presence for Sharad Pawar's faction and a need for Ajit Pawar to recalibrate his relationship with the BJP.

Why It Matters: The Pawar family faces a major political crisis after failing to win any major civic body in Maharashtra.