Cousins Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule Unite for Pune Civic Polls, Release Joint Manifesto
Image Source: Internet
In a significant development, estranged cousins Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar, who were part of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) split, came together on Saturday to launch a joint manifesto for the upcoming Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body elections. The move marks a growing closeness between the two factions after Ajit Pawar's July 2023 shift from his uncle Sharad's NCP to join the Eknath Shinde-led government. Sule, the working president of the breakaway action NCP (SP), and Ajit Pawar, the NCP chief, shared the stage at a joint press conference, signaling a potential long-term alliance between the two factions. Their parties had earlier announced plans to contest the civic body elections together, which are set to take place on January 15. The joint manifesto focuses on key civic issues in Pune, including tap water supply, traffic congestion relief, pothole-free roads, cleanliness, hi-tech healthcare services, pollution control, and slum rehabilitation. It also proposes free travel on public buses and the metro, waiver of property tax for houses up to 500 sq ft, and free computer tablets for students. Ajit Pawar hinted at the possibility of a permanent alliance between the two factions after the municipal elections, stating that there are no permanent enemies in politics. The joint effort has brought happiness to the workers of both parties, who have been working together in some areas.
