BJP Takes Early Lead in Pune Municipal Corporation Elections
The counting of votes for the Pune Municipal Corporation election started at 10 am today. Early trends show the Bharatiya Janata Party leading in both PMC and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation polls. BJP candidates are performing strongly across many wards.
Congress Secures Important Victories Against BJP Rivals
Congress candidates Prashant Jagtap and Sahil Kedari won their seats against BJP opponents Abhijit Shivarkar and Dhanraj Ghogare. This represents a significant achievement for the Congress party in these municipal elections.
Jagtap previously served as Pune's Mayor. He left the NCP(SP) before the election to join the Congress party. His victory demonstrates Congress's growing influence in certain Pune constituencies.
Political Battle Between BJP and United NCP Alliance
The main electoral contest features the BJP against the alliance of Ajit Pawar-led NCP with Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP). BJP fielded candidates for all 165 available seats, showing their comprehensive campaign strategy.
BJP previously controlled PMC from 2017 to 2022. After that period, an Administrator managed the civic body due to delayed elections. The Supreme Court had put the polls on hold over reservation issues.
The United NCP served as the primary opposition during BJP's previous term. Before BJP's rise, NCP held power in PMC for ten years from 2007 to 2017.
Voter Participation Patterns Across Pune Wards
The overall voting percentage reached 52.42% for PMC elections. Different wards showed varying levels of voter engagement.
- Aundh-Bopodi ward recorded the lowest turnout at 45.12%
- Wanowrie-Salunke Vihar followed with 45.54% participation
- Shivane-Khadakwasla-Dhayari ward achieved the highest turnout at 57.81%
The Shivane-Khadakwasla-Dhayari area recently joined PMC after city expansion. This newer constituency demonstrated strong voter enthusiasm.
Candidate Numbers and Previous Election Comparison
A total of 1,165 candidates competed for 41 wards in PMC elections. In PCMC, 128 seats were available across 32 different wards.
The 2017 PMC elections saw 55.45% voter participation. BJP won decisively that year with 97 seats. NCP secured 39 seats, while Shiv Sena took 10 and Congress won 9 seats.
Other parties like Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and AIMIM captured smaller numbers of seats. Independent candidates and others accounted for four seats in the previous election.
Regional Voting Patterns and Party Strategies
BJP expects increased support from central Pune areas. The party has focused campaign efforts in these constituencies. Meanwhile, NCP anticipates stronger results from suburban Pune regions.
Both major political formations have deployed extensive resources. They aim to secure control of the important municipal corporation. The election results will shape Pune's urban development policies for the coming years.
Political observers note the significance of these municipal elections. Local governance decisions directly impact residents' daily lives. The winning party will influence infrastructure projects, sanitation services, and urban planning initiatives.
