 leader Ajit Pawar made strong remarks){kind=link}
NCP leader flags rising election costs, defends secular stand ahead of Maharashtra civic polls
January 13, 2026: Amid the high-stakes civic elections in Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar made strong remarks on political ethics, corruption allegations and alliance dynamics. Responding to questions on selective action against ministers, Pawar said decisions on appointments or removals are internal party matters and do not require outside approval. Citing past actions involving leaders like Kokate and Dhananjay Munde, he questioned the inconsistency in responses when similar allegations emerge against leaders from other political parties.
Pawar also spoke about shifting political equations across the state. He noted that members of the Pawar family have come together in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, while in Mumbai, the reunion of Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray after nearly two decades has significantly reshaped the political landscape. Addressing identity-based politics, Pawar firmly reiterated his secular stance, stating that he was secular in the past, remains so today and will continue to be so in the future.
Highlighting concerns over the growing influence of money power in elections, Pawar recalled that his first parliamentary campaign in 1991 cost just ₹3,500, in stark contrast to today’s expensive and resource-heavy contests. He stressed that despite changing campaign dynamics, voters ultimately judge leaders on performance and development. Pawar added that the civic poll results scheduled for January 16 will clearly reflect the public’s sentiment.