The upcoming election for the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is set to be a dramatic clash of political heavyweights, with an unprecedented seven former mayors entering the electoral fray. The polls, scheduled for January 15, 2026, have transformed into a high-stakes battle for prestige and influence in the industrial township.
A Record Number of Former First Citizens in the Race
This election marks a significant increase in participation from experienced leaders who have previously held the city's top civic post. In a stark contrast, only three former mayors had contested the previous election held in 2017. The candidates bringing their executive experience to the field this time include the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Yogesh Behl and Vaishali Ghodekar, and the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Aparna Doke, Mai Dhore, Shakuntala Darade, Rahul Jadhav, and Nitin Kalje.
Yogesh Behl, who is also the president of the NCP's Pimpri-Chinchwad unit and is known for his closeness to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is contesting from Prabhag No. 30 (Kasarwadi-Sant Tukaram Nagar) against BJP's Satish Nagargoje. "Yes, I am contesting again from the Kasarwadi-Sant Tukaram Nagar area. I have won all past elections in the same area. Every election is a challenge. I do not take any election lightly," Behl stated.
Key Constituencies and Direct Contests
The electoral map is dotted with high-profile contests. Vaishali Ghodekar (NCP) is fighting from Prabhag No. 9 (Nehrunagar-Kharalwadi) against BJP's Meenaj Inamdar. On the BJP side, Aparna Doke is contesting from Prabhag No. 19 (Chinchwad-Keshavnagar) against NCP's Puja Agnan.
Mai Dhore (BJP) faces a multi-cornered fight in Prabhag No. 32 (Sangvi-Shitolenagar) against Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Varsha Pongde, NCP's Ujwala Dhore, and even a BJP rebel candidate, Sharda Sonawane. Other notable contests include Shakuntala Darade (BJP) vs. NCP's Sunita Kolap in Prabhag No. 39 (Pimple Gurav-Jawalkarnagar), Rahul Jadhav (BJP) vs. NCP's Vishal Aher in Prabhag No. 2 (Moshi-Borhadewadi), and Nitin Kalje (BJP) vs. NCP's Prakash Alhat in Prabhag No. 3 (Charholi-Dudalgaon).
Political Dynasties and the Next Generation
Adding another layer to the political narrative is the active participation of the sons of several former mayors, highlighting the role of political lineages in the region. Nitin Landge, son of Pimpri-Chinchwad's first mayor Dynaneshwar Landge, is contesting from Bhosari. Atul Shitole, son of the late former mayor Nana Shitole, is in the race from Sangvi.
Furthermore, Rahul Bhosale, son of former mayor Hanumant Bhosale, is once again trying his luck from Nehrunagar, while Kushagra Kadam, son of former mayor Mangala Kadam, is contesting from Sambhaji Nagar.
Political analyst Avinash Chilekar provided a cautious outlook on the prospects of the former mayors. "As of now, it looks like almost all the former mayors are better placed. But…anything can happen. We do not know the undercurrent of particular areas, how voters will react, etc. It will not be a cakewalk…," he remarked, suggesting that despite their experience, the road to victory is fraught with uncertainty.
The stage is thus set for a fiercely competitive election where experience, legacy, and shifting voter loyalties will determine who gains control of the crucial civic body governing one of Maharashtra's key industrial hubs.
