The stage is set for a fiercely competitive election to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on January 15, with the collapse of major alliances leading to direct confrontations in numerous wards. Major political parties have decided to contest solo, frequently pitting candidates against their former allies, resulting in over a dozen seats where former corporators are locked in head-to-head battles.
Alliances Off the Table, Campaigns Ramp Up
With pre-poll alliances effectively off the table, candidates now face the significant challenge of consolidating their traditional vote bases independently. Party workers have launched aggressive, ground-level campaigns for the final ten-day stretch, aiming to secure victories in what are expected to be closely fought contests. A total of 165 corporators will be elected from 41 wards in this crucial urban local body election.
High-Profile Clashes Define Key Wards
Several wards are witnessing heavyweight clashes that are drawing significant public attention. In Sahakarnagar, senior politician and former deputy mayor Aba Bagul, a three-decade PMC veteran contesting on a Shiv Sena ticket, is facing a stiff challenge from BJP's Mahesh Wable.
Similarly, a straight fight is underway in Model Colony-Wakdewadi between BJP's Reshma Bhosale and NCP's Datta Bahirat. The Balajinagar-Katraj ward sees former corporators Vasant More and Prakash Kadam battling head-to-head.
Another high-stakes contest involves NCP SP's former city unit head Prashant Jagtap, who has now joined the Congress. He is pitted against BJP's Abhijit Shivarkar, also a former corporator.
Multi-Cornered Fights and Rebel Candidates
Multi-cornered fights are adding to the electoral drama in several constituencies. In the Sus-Baner-Pashan ward, ex-corporator Amol Balwadkar, who switched to the NCP at the last moment, faces competition from the BJP and an NCP rebel, Pramod Nimhan, who is contesting independently.
The Kasba Ganapati-Kamla Nehru Hospital ward features a keen rematch of sorts. BJP's Ganesh Bidkar is up against Pranav Dhangekar, the son of former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, who had previously defeated Bidkar in earlier polls.
Other wards expecting nail-biting finishes include Ravivar Peth-Nana Peth and Kothrud, where former corporator Prithviraj Sutar faces ex-MNS leader Kishor Shinde. In Bavdhan, a BJP former corporator takes on NCP's Shankar Kemse.
Narrow Margins Expected in Fierce Fights
A senior BJP functionary highlighted the unique nature of municipal polls, stating, "Municipal polls often see fierce contests due to smaller voter bases and candidates' direct connect with citizens. In multi-cornered fights, winning margins are likely to remain narrow." This sentiment underscores the intense and localized nature of the upcoming elections, where every vote will count in determining the political control of Pune's civic body.
The decision of major parties to go it alone has fundamentally altered the electoral landscape, setting the scene for one of the most unpredictable and closely watched PMC elections in recent years.
