PMC Polls: Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress announce alliance, promise “Pune first,” focus on resolving traffic & rising crime
National Bulletin Network
Pune: In a major pre-election development ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) and the Congress on Monday announced an alliance to jointly contest the upcoming civic polls in Pune. The announcement was made at a joint press conference by senior leaders Satej Patil and Sachin Ahir.
The leaders announced that, as per the initial seat-sharing arrangement, the Congress will contest 60 of the total 160 PMC seats, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) will field candidates in 45 seats. Patil said, “Talks are underway for the remaining 55 seats, with the final seat-sharing formula expected to be announced soon.”
Addressing the media, Patil also said that a common manifesto focusing on the city’s unrelenting civic issues would be released in the next few days.
“Pune is facing multiple challenges. The major problem is traffic congestion, followed by water issues, while rising crime is also a serious concern. For us, Pune comes first. Political allegations will continue, but our focus will remain on providing justice and relief to Punekars,” Patil said.
Calling traffic the city’s most urgent problem, he said easing congestion would be the first priority. “Traffic remains the biggest challenge. We will work to provide relief to Punekars as well as those who travel to Pune for work, education, and business,” he added.
Leaders from both parties also raised concerns over the rise in street crime, including the resurfacing of Koyta gang-like incidents. Patil said, “Curbing crime and strengthening local law enforcement are also on our list.”
Meanwhile, Sachin Ahir said the alliance aims to bring governance back to the centre of civic politics. Agreeing with Patil, he also added that, “The focus will be on solving problems faced by citizens rather than indulging in political blame games.”
Civic poll equations shift across Maharashtra
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced an alliance between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the NCP (Sharad Chandra Pawar faction) for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections. Pawar said, “Both factions will be contesting the polls together.”
The NCP is part of the ruling Mahayuti, along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while the NCP-SP is a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).