Pimpri–Chinchwad, 21st November 2025: The run-up to the Lonavala Municipal Council elections has taken an unexpected turn, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrawing its candidate from Ward No. 3 and extending support to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The decision follows a seat-sharing understanding in which both parties will occupy the councillor’s post for two and a half years each.
BJP nominee Ashwini Lad agreed to pull out of the race after negotiations led by MLA Sunil Shelke resulted in a mutually acceptable power-sharing formula. Ward No. 3 had been heading for a direct face-off between NCP’s Laxmi Palekar and BJP’s Lad before the compromise was reached.
MLA Shelke, who mediated the discussion, said he had suggested a rotational arrangement to prevent a clash between coalition partners.
“Both sides accepted the proposal after consulting senior leaders. The decision was taken to maintain unity and avoid an internal tussle,” he said.
As per the pact, NCP’s Laxmi Narayan Palekar will hold the councillor’s post for the first half of the term, while BJP’s Ashwini Arun Lad will take over for the remaining two-and-a-half years. Shelke also assured that he would oversee the smooth execution of the agreement and praised both candidates for agreeing to cooperate.
The deadline for withdrawing nominations closes at 3 pm today, after which the final electoral contest for both Lonavala and Talegaon Municipal Council polls will come into sharp focus. Party leaders are also working to settle disagreements over rebel candidates in Talegaon, which is expected to clarify alliance equations within the Mahayuti.
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