Pimpri-Chinchwad Awaits 27th Mayor as BJP Withholds Candidate Name
The political atmosphere in Pimpri-Chinchwad is charged with anticipation as the city prepares to elect its 27th mayor on February 6. In a significant development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which secured a commanding majority in the recent civic elections, has chosen to keep its mayoral candidate's name under wraps, adding an element of suspense to the upcoming electoral process.
Election Schedule and Procedural Details
The election will take place during a special meeting at the main Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) building. According to Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, the meeting will also facilitate the election of the deputy mayor and the appointment of members to the standing committee, all scheduled for the same day. The directives for conducting these elections were officially issued by Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar on Saturday, with Cooperative Commissioner Deepak Taware presiding over the proceedings as the representative of the Divisional Commissioner.
For aspiring candidates, printed nomination forms for the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor are available at the municipal secretary's office, located on the third floor of the Main Administrative Building, during standard office hours. The nomination submission window is strictly set for February 2, between 3 pm and 5 pm, as confirmed by Municipal Secretary Mukesh Kolap. Nominations will be accepted exclusively within this stipulated timeframe at his office, ensuring a streamlined and regulated process.
Political Landscape and BJP's Deliberations
In the recently concluded civic elections, the BJP reasserted its dominance in PCMC, securing a brute majority with 84 of its own corporators, supplemented by one independent corporator backed by the party during the campaign. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will occupy the opposition benches with 37 corporators, while the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, will have 6 representatives.
Despite its overwhelming majority, the BJP's Pimpri-Chinchwad unit has not yet finalized its mayoral candidate. Shankar Jagtap, BJP's Chinchwad MLA, revealed to The Indian Express that the party has not even initiated discussions on potential names, with plans to deliberate either on Sunday or Tuesday. Jagtap emphasized that the decision will be made by the party's core committee, irrespective of whether the candidate hails from the Chinchwad, Bhosari, or Pimpri assembly constituencies, before being forwarded to the state leadership for final approval.
Another key figure, party MLA Mahesh Landge, currently out of station, is expected to play a pivotal role in selecting the mayor. BJP leaders acknowledge the challenge of choosing from among 85 corporators, especially since the mayoral post is reserved for the general category, allowing multiple claimants to stake their claim. "It will be a difficult choice to make," admitted a party leader, highlighting the internal deliberations.
Potential Contenders and Historical Context
Among the names circulating as potential candidates are Shatrughan Kate, president of BJP Pimpri-Chinchwad, and party corporators Rahul Kalate, Ravi Landge, and Sheetal Shinde. Kate, who has missed the opportunity to become mayor twice before, expressed hope that the party would now grant him the nod, reflecting the personal aspirations intertwined with political decisions.
Delving into the historical backdrop, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation was established in 1982, with its first general elections held in 1986. The inaugural mayor, Dnyaneshwar Landge, served a one-year term during the Congress party's initial five-year tenure. Over the years, Pimpri-Chinchwad has witnessed 26 mayors, with notable milestones including:
- Father-Son Duo: Bhiku Wahgere-Patil (1987) and his son Sanjog Waghere (1995-96) are the only father-son pair to have served as mayors.
- Couple Mayors: Vilas Lande (1993-94) and his wife Mohini Lande (2012) are the sole couple to have held the mayoral office.
- Diverse Representation: The roster includes mayors from various communities, such as a Muslim (Azam Pansare), a Tamilian (R S Kumar), a Punjabi (Yogesh Behl), and members from ST and OBC communities, though most have been from the Maratha community.
- Women Leaders: Anita Pharande of Chinchwad made history as the first woman mayor in 1997-98, while Mangala Kadam, serving from 2005-2007, is often regarded as the most popular mayor, known for attending approximately 18,000 public functions.
Election Dynamics and Past Trends
According to Congress leader Babu Nair, most mayoral elections in PCMC's history have been unopposed, particularly when parties like the NCP and BJP enjoyed brute majorities. However, the inaugural election in 1986 was notably tough, with Dnyaneshwar Landge winning by just a couple of votes against Sopanrao Bhoir. Close contests also marked the elections of Kavichand Bhat and Prabhakar Sathe. Initially, mayoral elections were conducted through a voting system until 1997, after which they transitioned to a show of hands by corporators, simplifying the process in line with political majorities.
As Pimpri-Chinchwad stands on the cusp of electing its 27th mayor, all eyes are on the BJP's impending decision. With the party holding its cards close and a rich historical tapestry of leadership, the February 6 election promises to be a defining moment for the industrial city's governance and political future.
