NCP Factions Unite for Maharashtra Polls

Two groups of the NCP party in Maharashtra, led by cousins Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule, have come together to release a joint plan for the upcoming city elections.

This is the first time they have worked together since their split two years ago.

They are focusing on winning back control of the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad city councils from the BJP.

While some people think this could lead to the groups reuniting permanently, Supriya Sule says they are only working together for these elections.

There are still disagreements about who should lead the united party and which political alliance they should join.

Both groups want to protect their traditional stronghold in Pune from the BJP's growing influence.

Meanwhile, other parties like the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Congress are also campaigning hard for the elections, which will cover 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra.

The BJP has not yet released its manifesto for the BMC elections, drawing criticism from rival parties.

In some local polls, the BJP formed unusual alliances with Congress and AIMIM to gain control of civic bodies, which drew dismay and warnings from the involved parties.