Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated that his NCP faction contesting local body polls separately from the Mahayuti alliance is a common practice, citing past instances with Congress and the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. He explained this approach empowers party workers and can consolidate vote shares, particularly in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad where his faction is allied with Sharad Pawar's NCP. Pawar affirmed these local election contests will not affect the state government's functioning, while also expressing optimism about estranged family members potentially uniting for these elections.