Political leaders from various parties in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad made bold claims on Thursday evening. They asserted that the approximately 54% voter turnout would benefit their respective groups. Meanwhile, opposition parties launched sharp criticisms against the State Election Commission.
BJP Expresses Confidence in Pune
MP Murlidhar Mohol, the BJP in-charge for Pune, expressed strong optimism. He predicted a repeat of the assembly poll results in Pune, where his party secured a decisive majority. Mohol highlighted the successful implementation of schemes and projects by the BJP in recent years.
"I am confident that Puneites will vote in our favor," Mohol stated. "They showed their support in the Lok Sabha and assembly polls in 2024. In municipal corporation elections also, they will continue to be with BJP."
Mohol projected that the BJP could win 120 to 125 seats in the Pune Municipal Corporation. In the previous election, the BJP secured 97 out of 162 seats. The NCP, then united, won 39 seats. Shiv Sena, also united at the time, bagged 10 seats, while Congress managed nine. The MNS secured two seats.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Election Conduct
Opposition leaders raised serious questions about the election process. Rohit Pawar, state general secretary of NCP (SP), voiced strong objections. "Several questions are being raised over the functioning of the State Election Commission," Pawar said. "No proper awareness programme was organised. Voters looked confused about their polling booths. SEC did not make any efforts to increase the turnout. All its steps were aimed at helping BJP."
Satej Patil, Congress in-charge for Pune, echoed similar concerns. "The SEC failed to rectify the electoral rolls," Patil remarked. "If the names of elected representatives are missing from the rolls, it shows the poor functioning of the commission."
Neelam Gorhe, Shiv Sena in-charge for Pune, remained hopeful. "The wise voters know Shiv Sena has worked for the betterment of people," Gorhe said. "They will back us in the municipal corporation polls."
Pimpri Chinchwad Sees Direct BJP-NCP Contest
In Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, the BJP and NCP are engaged in a direct contest. The BJP claimed it would cross the 100-seat mark, while the NCP said it was poised to win around 70 seats.
The PCMC has 128 seats across 32 wards. A party or alliance needs at least 65 corporators to gain power. The corporation was long considered a stronghold of the NCP, particularly under Ajit Pawar's leadership. The party ruled the civic body for nearly three decades before the BJP wrested control in 2017.
BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap expressed confidence in their campaign. "We gave the slogan ‘Ab ki baar 100 paar'," Jagtap said. "Our assessment suggests that the polling went largely as per our expectations."
In contrast, NCP's Ajit Gavhane argued that voter sentiment was against the BJP. He claimed residents were unhappy over unresolved civic issues.
