Maharashtra Civic Polls Deliver Surprising Results
The recent municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra produced several unexpected outcomes. Candidates with criminal backgrounds secured victories in multiple seats, drawing sharp public attention.
Pune Witnesses Controversial Wins
In Pune, two relatives of gangster Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar won elections from Ward No. 23. Bandu Andekar currently remains in jail for his alleged involvement in his grandson's murder.
Sonali Andekar, Bandu's daughter-in-law, and Laxmi Andekar, his sister-in-law, contested on Nationalist Congress Party tickets. The NCP faced severe criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party for fielding these candidates.
Both women currently sit in judicial custody. They face charges in the murder case of Ayush Komkar, a nineteen-year-old killed in 2025. Police allege this murder represented an act of revenge.
The family's political connections run deep. Vatsala Andekar previously served as Pune's mayor. Late Udyankant Andekar and Vanraj Andekar worked as corporators, known for highlighting civic issues.
Vanraj Andekar, Sonali's husband, met a tragic end. Someone murdered him on September 1, 2024, in Pune's Nana Peth area. Reports indicate a property dispute triggered the killing.
Despite their incarceration, Sonali and Laxmi won their elections. Sonali defeated Pratibha Dhangekar, wife of former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar. Laxmi overcame BJP candidate Rutuja Gadale by a narrow margin.
Mithun Chavan, a lawyer connected to the Andekar family, commented on the victories. He stated the wins reflected years of social work by the family. Other family members conducted the election campaign while Sonali and Laxmi remained in jail.
Pradnya Andekar, another relative, thanked voters for their trust. She promised continued work for residents' welfare.
Jalna Election Stirs Controversy
Shrikant Pangarkar won the Jalna Municipal Corporation election from Ward 13. He ran as an independent candidate. Pangarkar faces accusations in the murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh.
He defeated candidates from the BJP and other political parties. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena chose not to field any candidate in that ward.
Pangarkar joined Shiv Sena before the November 2024 assembly elections. Public outcry followed his induction. Shinde then suspended his membership.
Gauri Lankesh died on September 5, 2017. Assailants shot her outside her Bengaluru residence. Her murder generated national headlines and sparked intense debates across India.
Pangarkar possesses previous political experience. He served as a Jalna municipal council member with the undivided Shiv Sena between 2001 and 2006. After failing to receive a ticket in 2011, he joined the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.
These election results highlight ongoing concerns about candidates with criminal backgrounds entering public office. Voters in these wards selected these candidates despite the controversies surrounding them.
