India, Nov. 25 -- The local body elections in Pune's rural parts have taken an unusual turn, with alliance partners in the Mahayuti pitted against each other in Saswad and Indapur, making both contests politically charged and closely watched.

In Saswad, located near the proposed international airport site, the contest has effectively become a face-off between former MLA Sanjay Jagtap of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and sitting MLA Vijay Shivthare of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). Although different candidates are in the fray, the real battle is between the two leaders who have long been political rivals.

Despite being partners in the ruling alliance, the BJP and the Shiv Sena are contesting against each other here. Adding to the co...