Voting for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) polls wrapped up on Thursday evening, setting the stage for a tense counting day on Friday. The BJP is brimming with confidence, predicting a massive win, while the NCP pins its hopes on Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's energetic campaign.
BJP's Bold Predictions
Minutes after polling closed, BJP's Chinchwad MLA Shankar Jagtap made a bold statement. He said the BJP will return to power despite the NCP's campaign efforts. Jagtap expects at least 100 BJP candidates to secure victories in the wards.
He dismissed the impact of Ajit Pawar's campaigning. Jagtap believes it will not dent the BJP's chances. Instead, he foresees a better performance than in the 2017 elections.
Historical Context and Strategy
In 2017, the BJP won 78 wards, a significant shift from its past struggles. Before that, the party rarely reached double digits since PCMC's inception in 1986. That year, the BJP changed its strategy by bringing in several NCP leaders, leading to a brute majority.
Shatrughan Kate, president of the Pimpri-Chinchwad BJP unit, echoed this confidence. He acknowledged the NCP's lively campaign but stressed that voters recognize the development brought by the BJP. Kate predicts victory in at least 80 wards, possibly more, and insists Ajit Pawar's efforts will not hinder their return to power.
BJP's Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge, who faced targeting during the campaign, expressed full confidence. He cited development projects and welfare measures from central and state governments as key factors. Landge believes voters are aware of the BJP's work and will support them again.
NCP's Hopeful Outlook
On the other side, the NCP is not backing down. Yogesh Behl, NCP Pimpri-Chinchwad president, made a cautious claim. He expects at least 50 seats for the NCP. With support from Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde contesting 60 seats, and some independents, Behl hopes to regain power lost in 2017.
In 2017, the NCP won only 36 seats, ending its long rule with Congress since 1986. Another NCP leader, Ajit Gavhane, was more optimistic. Handled Bhosari area's 46 wards by Ajit Pawar, Gavhane said the campaign created a buzz. He feels the atmosphere favors the NCP and predicts a majority win.
Campaign Dynamics
Earlier in the day, Rohit Pawar, NCP (S-P) MLA, sounded confident. He attributed their chances to Ajit Pawar's aggressive campaigning. Rohit Pawar claimed the BJP is scared and losing, as Ajit Pawar exposed their wrongdoings. He believes voters have realized their folly and will bring the NCP back to power.
Both NCP factions formed an alliance for these polls. From January 2 to January 13, Ajit Pawar consistently alleged corruption against the BJP rule in Pimpri-Chinchwad. He specifically targeted Mahesh Landge, while Rohit Pawar aimed at both BJP MLAs in the area. Their message focused on ousting the BJP for a corruption-free regime.
Counting Details
The PCMC election office announced that counting will start at 10 am on Friday at eight centers. Shravan Hardikar, the election officer, stated that only people with identity cards issued by the office will be allowed inside. The centers include locations like Hegdewar Bhavan, Auto Cluster, and Kamgar Bhavan across Pimpri-Chinchwad.
As the city awaits results, the political battle intensifies. The BJP relies on its development record, while the NCP bets on Ajit Pawar's charisma and allegations. Tomorrow's counting will reveal which strategy wins over the voters in this industrial hub.
