In a significant electoral setback, five candidates from major political parties will be forced to contest as independent candidates in the upcoming Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections. This unusual situation stems from administrative delays and failed alliance negotiations.
Alliance Talks and Missed Deadlines
The root of the problem lies in the protracted seat-sharing discussions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde. The two parties held several rounds of talks but could not reach an agreement on a couple of seats. This indecision led to a critical delay in finalizing their candidates and distributing the necessary nomination documents.
As a direct consequence of this delay, the nomination forms for three BJP candidates did not reach the Pimpri-Chinchwad election office within the stipulated deadline. PCMC Commissioner and election officer Shravan Hardikar clarified the situation, stating, "Three BJP candidates filed their nomination papers. However, their AB forms were received after the deadline for submitting them was over. Therefore now, they will have to contest as independents…their nomination forms though have not been rejected."
The Affected Candidates and Party Response
The three BJP candidates impacted by this administrative error are Shalini Gujar, Ganesh Gujar, and Karishma Barne. BJP's Pimpri-Chinchwad president, Shratrughan Kate, acknowledged the development, attributing it to the prolonged alliance talks. "We have also learnt that three of our candidates will have to contest as independents. All this happened because of our discussions with Shiv Sena for seat-sharing," Kate said. He explained that by the time the AB forms were distributed, the candidates could not submit them to their respective offices on time.
The issue is not confined to the BJP alone. Sources within the election office indicated that the nominations of two Shiv Sena candidates were also rejected because they failed to submit the names of their proposers. However, there was no official confirmation of this until late evening on January 1, 2026.
Going Solo and Unopposed Rumors
Following the breakdown in negotiations, both the BJP and Shiv Sena decided to contest the PCMC polls independently. This adds another layer of complexity to an already competitive electoral landscape.
Amidst this confusion, rumors circulated that BJP candidate Ravi Landge had been elected unopposed for a second term, as all his opponents had reportedly withdrawn from the race in the Bhosari area. Election officials, however, were quick to temper these claims. They stated that they are awaiting a formal report from the assistant returning officer overseeing the Bhosari area before any conclusion can be drawn.
The series of events highlights how internal party dynamics and logistical missteps can directly impact electoral prospects, forcing candidates from established parties into the independent bracket for the crucial Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls.
