Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar confirmed that his NCP faction is in discussions with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena regarding seat sharing for the upcoming Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls. This comes after initial reports of an alliance with Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP). The ruling Mahayuti coalition, including BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP, faces a complex electoral landscape where state-level alliances are blurring, with parties sometimes aligning with rivals in local elections. Pawar also addressed concerns about candidates with criminal backgrounds, attributing their nomination to allied parties.