BJP Nominates Manjusha Nagpure for Pune Mayor Post as NCP Withdraws
In a significant development for Pune's political landscape, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially announced Manjusha Nagpure, a three-time corporator, as its candidate for the mayor of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). This decision comes as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has opted not to contest the election, citing the recent demise of its party chief, Ajit Pawar.
Political Dynamics and Candidate Announcements
Dheeraj Ghate, the city BJP chief, confirmed that Manjusha Nagpure will represent the party for the mayor's post, while Parshuram Wadekar has been named as the candidate for deputy mayor. The BJP's move aims to consolidate its position in the PMC, where it holds a majority with 119 out of 165 seats.
On the other hand, the NCP, which secured 27 seats, has decided to abstain from the race. Nilesh Nikam, the NCP leader in the PMC, explained that the party is still mourning Ajit Pawar's loss and is focused on resolving internal issues at the higher level. He stated that the NCP will support the BJP in decisions beneficial to the party but oppose those against Pune's citizens' interests.
Congress Steps In to Challenge BJP
In response to the NCP's withdrawal, the Congress party has fielded Ashwini Landge for the mayor's post and Sahil Kedari for deputy mayor. Arvind Shinde, the city Congress chief, emphasized that this move is to prevent an unopposed election for the BJP, highlighting the party's commitment to providing a competitive alternative.
The election is scheduled for February 9, with the nomination deadline set for Tuesday afternoon. The mayor's post is reserved for a general category woman corporator, adding a layer of significance to the contest.
PMC Seat Distribution and Implications
The PMC's composition includes:
- BJP: 119 seats
- NCP: 27 seats
- Congress: 15 seats
- NCP(SP): 3 seats
- Shiv Sena(UBT): 1 seat
This distribution underscores the BJP's dominant position, but the Congress's entry ensures a contested election. The NCP's decision to step back could influence future alliances and political strategies in Pune's governance.
As the city prepares for the upcoming poll, all eyes are on how these developments will shape Pune's administrative future, with key parties positioning themselves for influence in the municipal corporation.
