In 2017, 36 NCP corporators had been elected in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections. After the civic body's term ended in March 2022, it has been governed by the administrator. (Express Photo)
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With Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joining hands with the Shinde-Fadnavis government, the NCP unit in Pimpri-Chinchwad has indicated that it will follow their leader who was “instrumental in the rapid development” of the industrial city when the party ruled the municipal corporation for more than a decade.
There are, however, a few leaders who are not so keen on such a move.
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On Sunday, when Ajit Pawar took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister, some of his close associates from Pimpri-Chinchwad were present at the ceremony in Mumbai. A few more met him on Monday to offer their congratulations and bouquets. Ajit Pawar is learnt to have told them that the party was united and would remain so.
“Many of us have met Ajit Dada in the last two days. Among those were former PCMC corporators who had been elected in the 2017 elections,” said Ajit Gavahane, president of Pimpri-Chinchwad’s NCP unit.
Asked whether the unit was with Ajit Pawar or Sharad Pawar, Gavahane said they were with the Nationalist Congress Party. “We still believe that the NCP is one and a united party. Both Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar are our leaders,” he said. “We are expecting things to become clear after the party meeting on July 5,” he said.
In 2017, 36 NCP corporators had been elected in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections. After the civic body’s term ended in March 2022, it has been governed by the administrator.
Acknowledging that the Pimpri-Chinchwad unit is inclined towards the Ajit Pawar camp, Gavahane said, “This is because Ajit Pawar has led from the front. He has built the party in Pimpri-Chinchwad and has been instrumental in the rapid development of the industrial city,” added Gahavane.
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“He has been a Deputy Chief Minister for a long time and given quick sanctions to development projects. No other NCP leader has taken much interest in the development of Pimpri-Chinchwad. Several NCP leaders here are close to Ajit Pawar and share a good bond with him,” he added.
But still, Gavahane said, they were not openly siding with any camp. “We are hoping that some solution will be worked out and the party will stay united. We can’t believe that the NCP will be divided into two camps. It is not in the interests of the party,” he said. Asked about the conversation with Ajit Pawar, Gavahane said, “He told us that the NCP is united and Sharad Pawar will be our leader. And therefore, we still believe that we are in NCP and not in any camp.”
Prominent among the former NCP corporators who met Ajit Pawar in the last two days include Sanjog Waghere, Bhausaheb Bhoir and Prashant Shitole. “We have been working closely with Ajit Pawar for years now. We will support whatever decision he takes. At the same time, I want to say that in the coming days, things will be sorted out and the party will remain united. I am in NCP and NCP is my party like it is for several of us,” said Nana Kate, another former corporator.
However, former mayor Yogesh Behl, who was considered close to Ajit Pawar, struck a discordant note. “I would prefer to back Sharad Pawar. It is a matter of principles. There are some values and principles that you cherish in life. I want to stand by them,” he said.
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“From the statements made by both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, I strongly feel that things will be sorted out and NCP will come before the people as a united force. Every leader should make an attempt to ensure that the party remains a single unit. Otherwise, it will be difficult to face the voters,” he said.
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More
