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Pune NCP(SP) chief Prashant Jagtap ‘offers to resign’ as party set to join hands with Ajit Pawar-led NCP

Pune NCP(SP) chief Prashant Jagtap has opposed an alliance with the NCP for the upcoming civic polls, saying it would only benefit the Ajit Pawar faction.

3 min readPuneDec 23, 2025 01:10 PM IST

Pune city chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) Prashant Jagtap.

Prashant Jagtap, the Pune city chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), has offered to resign from his post amid talks of the party aligning with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP ahead of the upcoming civic elections, a senior party leader said.

Jagtap, a staunch supporter of Sharad Pawar, was opposed to the alliance from the beginning, saying it would only benefit the Ajit Pawar faction, and had earlier stated that he would step aside if the alliance was finalised.

After the NCP split, Jagtap had led the NCP(SP) unit aggressively, ensuring the party performed well in the Lok Sabha elections last year. Later, he contested the Assembly elections from Hadapsar but was defeated by NCP candidate Chetan Tupe.

A former Pune mayor, Jagtap had also said that the NCP(SP) would only contest on its ‘man blowing trumpet’ symbol.

The Pune Municipal Corporation, with 165 seats, goes to the polls on January 15. Talks of an alliance between the two NCP factions come at a time when the BJP, which emerged as the single largest party in the first phase of the local body polls in the state, will be gearing up to maintain its upper hand in the municipal corporation elections.

Party leaders from both sides confirmed that the talks have been positive.

“The pre-poll alliance between the two NCPs is almost final. Just the announcement is left. Both will contest on one NCP symbol,” former mayor and NCP leader Datta Dhankawade said.

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State NCP(SP) chief Shashikant Shinde also admitted that local party leaders have discussed a possible alliance. “I have asked the local party leaders to discuss the pre-poll alliance. If the seat-sharing favours us, the possibility of an alliance cannot be ruled out. This is done considering the way the BJP is poaching aspirants of both the NCPs ahead of the civic polls,” he said.

Pune NCP chief Subhash Jagtap said that the alliance discussion has been positive so far. “No party is pressing its demands, and all are ready to adjust on seat sharing,” he said, questioning Prashant Jagtap’s opposition to a pre-poll alliance, saying it was Ajit Pawar who had built his political career.

Meanwhile, former corporator Vishal Tambe of the NCP(SP), who had publicly called for an NCP(SP)-NCP alliance, declared that he will not contest the current civic polls.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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