Ajit Pawar: Family Tensions Over, Slams BJP on Local Issues

• Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dismissed NCP merger rumors, stating such discussions are only in the media.
• Pawar confirmed the NCP-NCP (SP) alliance in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad was formed by local workers for electoral benefit.
• He criticized the decline of ideological commitment in politics, alleging parties abandon ideologies for membership and leaders switch sides due to allure or pressure.
• Pawar accused the local BJP leadership in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad of financial mismanagement and corruption during their tenure (2017-2022).
• He emphasized that local body elections focus on civic issues, justifying his criticism of BJP despite being allies in the state government.

Why It Matters: Ajit Pawar asserts family unity, criticizes BJP's local governance, and highlights ideological decline in politics.