PCMC Polls Deliver Major Upsets and Historic Wins
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections have concluded with dramatic results. Several political heavyweights faced unexpected defeats, while numerous first-time candidates emerged victorious. The polls highlighted shifting voter sentiments and intense competition between major parties.
Yogesh Behl Creates Unprecedented Record
NCP Pimpri-Chinchwad unit chief Yogesh Behl achieved something remarkable. He secured his seventh consecutive victory from Sant Tukaram Nagar ward. Behl won by a comfortable margin exceeding 5,000 votes. He began his political journey in 1986, suffered an initial loss, but triumphed in 1992 and has maintained a winning streak ever since.
"My work speaks for itself," Behl stated. "I have always remained connected with my voters and made myself highly accessible. That consistent engagement likely explains my repeated victories with substantial margins." Throughout his career, Behl has served as mayor, standing committee chairman, opposition leader, and PCMC house leader.
Established Leaders Face Surprising Losses
The election results brought disappointment for several prominent figures. Former mayor Mai Dhore, who had represented Sangvi ward for five consecutive terms, lost to NCP's Ujwala Dhore. Close associates attributed this defeat to anti-incumbency factors.
Seema Sawale, former PCMC standing committee chairperson, experienced a narrow defeat. She lost by just 256 votes in the Indrayani Nagar-Balajinagar area to Dr. Suhas Kamble, a well-known orthopaedic surgeon operating Sai Hospital in Moshi. Sawale had switched from BJP to NCP during the campaign period.
NCP leader Sarang Kamtekar expressed concerns about the voting process. "We have raised objections regarding some non-functioning machines," Kamtekar explained. "The final result remains undeclared due to our objections. However, we did trail by 256 votes at the end of the last round." The NCP alleged that BJP exerted significant effort to defeat Sawale.
Close Contests and Party Switches
BJP's Prashant Shitole, another former standing committee chairman, endured a tense battle. He ultimately won by a slim margin of 290 votes against NCP candidate Atul Shitole. Shitole had previously won three times on an NCP ticket before joining BJP during the election campaign.
In Pimple Nilakh, Tushar Kamthe, president of Pimpri-Chinchwad NCP (SP) unit, lost to BJP's Sandeep Kaspate by approximately 9,000 votes. Kamthe played a crucial role in facilitating the alliance between the two NCP factions for these elections.
Sachin Chikhale, MNS Pimpri-Chinchwad unit president, faced defeat against BJP's Uttam Kendale in the Yamunagar Nagar seat.
BJP Secures Significant Victories
BJP Pimpri-Chinchwad unit chief Shatrughan Kate achieved a decisive win from Pimple Saudagar, securing a margin over 8,000 votes. In Walhekarwadi, former senior corporator Bhausaheb Bhoir of NCP won after a fluctuating battle with BJP's Namdev Dhake, who served as PCMC house leader.
Rahul Kalate of BJP defeated Mayur Kalate of NCP by a substantial margin around 15,000 votes. Rahul Kalate originally belonged to NCP (S-P) but joined BJP during campaigning, despite internal opposition from some BJP leaders.
First-Time Candidates Make Their Mark
The elections witnessed impressive performances by newcomers. Sneha Kalate of BJP won from Pimple Nilakh by nearly 15,000 votes, marking her debut as a corporator. Shruti Wakadkar, another BJP first-timer from Wakad, secured victory with a margin close to 10,000 votes after trailing initially.
In Masulkar Colony, first-time candidate Sarika Masulkar triumphed over her sister-in-law Sheetal Masulkar. Manisha Lande, wife of former corporator and opposition leader Shyam Lande, won from Kasarwadi prabhag by over 5,000 votes. Varsha Jagtap of NCP defeated former corporator Sujata Palande in the Kasarwadi-Sant Tukaram Nagar ward.
Other Notable Results
Sheetal Kate, a two-time NCP corporator from Pimpile Nilakh, lost to Anita Kate. However, her husband Nana Kate retained his seat from Pimple Saudagar. Rahul Bhosale of NCP won from Nehrunagar for the third consecutive time, defeating BJP's Sadguru Kadam, a former Congress member.
"Before Rahul Bhosale, his father Hanumant Bhosale had represented Nehrunagar for five consecutive terms," noted advocate Sushil Mancharkar, a Nehrunagar resident. "He served as both mayor and deputy mayor of Pimpri-Chinchwad."
Former mayor Vaishali Ghodekar of NCP defeated a BJP candidate from Nehrunagar, securing her third electoral win after one previous loss.
