Pune: MVA constituents on Thursday announced their decision to contest the upcoming municipal council and nagar panchayat elections in Maharashtra jointly. This declaration comes just two days after the state election commission released the schedule for the local body polls.In Pune district, elections will be held on Dec 2 across 14 municipal councils and three nagar panchayats, with results on the following day. Shrirang Chavan Patil, president of the Congress district committee, said MVA politicians unanimously agreed to contest the elections in Pune rural together after thorough discussions. “We’ve decided to field young and fresh candidates. Preparations are already under way, and the response from our workers has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said.While Shiv Sena holds sway in the western parts of the district, deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led NCP is aiming to secure a majority of the councils.MVA workers have been given autonomy to form local alliances based on ground realities. Vijay Kolte, head of NCP (SP)’s district unit, expressed confidence in MVA’s success. “There’s no question of aligning with Mahayuti. Citizens are dissatisfied with state govt’s performance, which has failed to deliver on key issues,” he said.MVA leaders have also issued a stern warning that disciplinary action would be taken against any party worker who attempted to collaborate with Mahayuti.
