In a significant political development, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator Amol Balwadkar has switched allegiance to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This dramatic move came immediately after the BJP denied him a ticket at the last moment for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections.
A Last-Minute Snub Sparks Defection
The political crisis unfolded with just about an hour left for the filing of nominations. The BJP, in a surprising decision, dropped Amol Balwadkar and instead named Lahu Balwadkar, the Kothrud North Mandal president, as its candidate from the ward. This last-minute denial is reported to have caused fresh discontent among local party workers.
Expressing his frustration, Amol Balwadkar stated, "I worked for 10 years and was betrayed. If they had spoken to me with respect, I would have stayed even now. But now this will be a do-or-die fight." Soon after being sidelined, he met Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and formally joined the NCP. Demonstrating their immediate trust in him, the NCP promptly announced Balwadkar as its official candidate, adding a new and unpredictable twist to the civic election battle in Pune.
History of Internal Rivalry and Rehabilitation
This incident is not an isolated event but appears to be the resurfacing of old differences within the BJP's Pune unit. Amol Balwadkar had earlier contested the Assembly elections and emerged as an internal challenger to Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil. His aggressive campaign style during that period is believed to have caused considerable unease within the party ranks.
Following the elections, Balwadkar was sidelined from active politics for some time. However, he was later brought back into the party fold after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally intervened. The recent ticket distribution for the PMC elections seems to have reopened these old wounds, leading to the current defection.
Broader Implications for Pune's Political Landscape
The BJP's candidate selection process has highlighted internal fissures, particularly in Ward number 9, covering Sus, Baner, and Pashan areas, where the party kept its choice unclear until the final hour. In both Wards 8 and 9, the BJP ultimately decided to field new faces, leaving out former corporators. This strategy has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and competition.
Amol Balwadkar's shift to the NCP and his instant candidacy significantly alters the dynamics in his ward. It transforms the contest into a direct and personal battle between him and the BJP's official nominee. This development underscores the intense and often volatile nature of local politics in Pune and has undoubtedly made the PMC election contest more competitive and closely watched.
The episode serves as a stark reminder of how candidate selection can make or break party loyalty, especially in the high-stakes arena of urban civic polls where local influence and personal equations play a decisive role.
