Ajit Pawar's death reshapes Maharashtra politics, NCP sweeps Zilla Parishad polls

The Maharashtra Zilla Parishad elections saw a significant shift in political equations, with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP emerging as the second-largest party across 12 district councils, riding on a strong sympathy wave.

Political equations in Maharashtra’s Zilla Parishad elections have undergone a significant shift following the demise of Ajit Pawar, with his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) emerging as the second-largest party across 12 district councils. Riding on a strong sympathy wave, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP secured 172 seats statewide, signalling an expansion of its influence, particularly across Pune district and parts of western Maharashtra.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finished on top with 225 seats across the 12 Zilla Parishads where elections were held, while Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena secured 162 seats. The Congress won 55 seats, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena 46, and the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP managed 21 seats statewide.

As per the State Election Commission’s schedule, polls were conducted for 12 of Maharashtra’s Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis. Interestingly, the ruling Mahayuti alliance partners — the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP — contested together in some regions while facing each other in others. In Pune and Satara, both NCP factions fought together in most places, though they were directly opposed in seven seats in Pune.

Western Maharashtra, traditionally considered an NCP stronghold, witnessed a visible sympathy wave in favour of Ajit Pawar’s party. During the campaign, party leaders appealed to voters by projecting a vote for the NCP as a tribute to ‘Dada’, a strategy that appears to have paid off.

In the Pune Zilla Parishad, Ajit Pawar’s NCP dramatically improved its performance. Of the 73 seats, it won 51, while the Sharad Pawar faction secured just one seat. The BJP managed 10 seats. In the previous election, the NCP had won 43 of the 75 seats in Pune. The results underline how the sympathy factor helped consolidate — and even expand — the party’s base in the district.

In Satara, where the NCP had previously held power, the BJP made strong inroads. Backed by ministers Udayanraje Bhosale and Shambhuraje Desai, the BJP won 23 seats, while the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) secured 13. The NCP won 21 seats. Notably, both NCP factions contested together in Pune and Satara.