Mixed Outcomes for Party Switchers in Pune Civic Elections
The recent civic polls in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad delivered a complex verdict on political loyalty. Many candidates who changed parties ahead of the elections experienced both success and failure. This trend clearly crossed all party lines, showing no single group held an advantage.
Pimpri Chinchwad: A Calculated Gamble
In Pimpri Chinchwad, thirty former corporators and previous runners-up decided to shift their loyalties. Their original parties denied them tickets, forcing this dramatic move. The results proved unpredictable. Only sixteen of these switchers managed to secure victory.
Most contested the election independently. A few cleverly fielded family members, particularly in seats reserved for women. The political realignments here primarily involved the NCP, BJP, and Shiv Sena. Interestingly, these parties are allies in the state government but chose to compete separately in this local poll.
Pune: Stories of Victory and Defeat
The Pune Municipal Corporation elections presented contrasting tales. Prashant Jagtap joined the Congress after the NCP formed an alliance with NCP (SP). He celebrated a win from ward 18D. In a post-victory statement, Jagtap emphasized the value of ideology.
"People often say ideology has no value in politics, but my victory proved otherwise," Jagtap told reporters. "Voters do value principles and ethos, and my win reflected that. Politicians should take note and avoid such mistakes in the future."
However, not every story ended happily. Aba Bagul, a five-time corporator and senior Congress member, switched to Shiv Sena just days before the poll. He faced a disappointing defeat. This highlights the risky nature of last-minute political changes.
Notable Losses Among Experienced Leaders
Several established figures faced unexpected losses. Seema Sawale, a former PCMC standing committee chairperson and BJP member, joined the NCP after being denied a ticket. She lost by a narrow margin of 256 votes.
Similarly, Usha Waghere, a three-term corporator and wife of former mayor Sanjog Waghere, quit the NCP to join the BJP days before the poll. She also tasted defeat. These results show that experience does not always guarantee success in the volatile world of local politics.
Successful Switches and Strategic Moves
Some switches did yield positive results. Nandini Dhende, wife of former mayor Siddharth Dhende, left the BJP to join the NCP and won her seat. Datta Bahirat, a former Congress member, emerged victorious on an NCP ticket.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's NCP actively recruited turncoats in the final days before the polls. In a previous interview, Pawar revealed a deliberate strategy. He intentionally delayed distributing crucial A and B forms.
"The civic elections were held after nearly nine years and many were preparing for them," Pawar explained. "I waited for such aspirants and gave them tickets based on their winnability." This calculated move aimed to capitalize on disappointed candidates from other parties.
Giant Killers: Newcomers Make Their Mark
The elections also witnessed the rise of political newcomers who defeated seasoned veterans. In Pune, Saee Thopate, a 22-year-old ABVP worker, achieved a remarkable feat. She defeated the experienced Aba Bagul in his new Shiv Sena avatar.
In Pimpri Chinchwad, Shiv Sena's unit president Nilesh Taras led a successful charge in ward 16. He and three party candidates defeated a group including two-term corporator Moreshwar Bhondve, his wife, and two other NCP ticket holders. These results prove that fresh faces can successfully challenge established political networks.
The Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic polls ultimately delivered a clear message. Voter sentiment remains unpredictable. Party loyalty is a fluid concept, and winnability often trumps long-standing political affiliations in the heat of an election campaign.
