India, Dec. 17 -- PUNE

Ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, parties in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including the Congress, have expressed willingness to bring the Ajit Pawar-led NCP into the alliance to ensure a direct contest against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, the move faces resistance from within the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, particularly from city unit chief Prashant Jagtap.

With the Mahayuti partners, the BJP and Ajit Pawar's NCP, deciding to contest the civic polls separately, MVA leaders say a multi-cornered fight would only benefit the BJP. Efforts, they add, should focus on keeping the contest bipolar.

Congress city unit president Arvind Shinde said the party would contest the polls as part of the MVA...