India, Sept. 9 -- The unusual silence between senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Murlidhar Mohol, Chandrakant Patil and Madhuri Misal during the Ganesh immersion procession has sparked speculation in political circles that the BJP and NCP may prefer a 'friendly contest' in Pune rather than an alliance for the upcoming civic elections.

Both parties have strong bases in the city and are unwilling to cede ground.

An NCP functionary said, "In a recent meeting with Ajit Pawar, some city unit office-bearers expressed displeasure over the draft ward structure. Pawar also acknowledged that BJP interference had sidelined NCP leaders in the process."

Whereas NCP executive president ...