As the January 15 election for the Pune Municipal Corporation's new general body approaches, a distinct trend of political nepotism has emerged. The battle for civic power is seeing a significant number of candidates who are close relatives of established politicians, sidelining many loyal party workers in the process.
Family Ties Trump Loyalty in Ticket Distribution
The scramble for tickets has revealed a clear pattern where former corporators and senior leaders across party lines have successfully secured nominations for their immediate family members. This move is seen as a strategy to reclaim lost influence, address prestige issues, or simply maintain relevance in Pune's shifting political landscape.
Shiv Sena's city unit chief and former Kasba Peth MLA, Ravindra Dhangekar, has managed to get his son, Pranav, a ticket from the Kasba Ganapati-Kamla Nehru Hospital ward. Simultaneously, his wife, Pratibha, will contest from the Ravivar Peth-Nana Peth ward.
In the Congress, former corporator Avinash Bagwe and his wife Indira are both in the fray from the Kasewadi-Dias Plot ward. Meanwhile, new BJP entrant Surendra Pathare and his wife Aishwarya are contesting from wards in the Vimannagar and Kharadi-Wagholi areas, respectively.
Notable Names and New Entrants
The list of family-centric nominations is extensive. Former Pune mayor Prashant Jagtap, who recently switched from the NCP (SP) to the Congress, is contesting from the Wanowrie ward alongside his mother, Ratnaprabha Jagtap.
Brothers Harshvardhan and Raghvendra Mankar have been fielded as candidates from two different wards. Veteran politicians Prakash Kadam and Vasant More, both former corporators contesting again, have also secured tickets for their sons from separate wards.
Sources indicate that many former corporators have chosen not to run this time but have ensured their family's political presence continues. For instance, Bharatbhushan Barate, a close relative of former corporator Dilip Barate, is contesting from the Warje area.
In the Shivajinagar-Model Colony ward, Nivedita, daughter of former corporator Jyotsna Ekbote, has a ticket. She will face Apoorva Khade, son of Dattatray Khade, in the same ward. Furthermore, Niranjan, son of Congress politician Balasaheb Dabhekar, has bagged the candidature from the Shanivar Peth ward.
Party Stances and Worker Discontent
Amid this trend, the Bharatiya Janata Party has stated a different approach. A senior BJP member claimed the party decided against giving tickets to family members of MPs, MLAs, and ministers, a rule they tried to follow in the civic polls. The party emphasized issuing tickets to many young candidates attempting their maiden electoral battle.
However, this widespread practice of promoting family members has caused considerable discontent among rank-and-file political workers. An NCP worker from Shivajinagar voiced a common grievance, stating that people switched parties just before polls to secure tickets for their kin. "This is injustice to the loyal workers," the worker said, highlighting the frustration over being overlooked despite years of service.
The upcoming January 15 poll will thus not only be a test of political strength for parties but also a referendum on this entrenched culture of familial succession in Pune's local politics.
