As the deadline for filing nominations for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) polls draws near, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has adopted a cautious, behind-the-scenes approach to announcing its candidates. Instead of releasing a formal list, the party is personally contacting selected aspirants and instructing them to file their papers, a move driven by apprehensions of potential rebellion within its ranks.
The "Problem of Plenty" and Alliance Dynamics
The BJP's city unit is grappling with an enviable yet challenging situation. For the 165 seats in the PMC, the party has received a staggering over 2,500 applications from hopeful candidates. This "problem of plenty" is further complicated by the need to allocate a few seats to its alliance partners—the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Republican Party of India (Athawale). The filing of nominations concludes on Tuesday afternoon, leading to a flurry of political activity across the city.
An office-bearer from the BJP confirmed the strategy, stating, "The party has called up official candidates personally and asked them to file their nomination for the Pune civic polls. Many candidates are filing their nomination today (Monday)." This method is seen as an attempt to manage discontent and prevent last-minute defections.
Nominations Filed and Rising Tensions
Among those who have filed nominations following personal assurances are BJP leaders like Ganesh Bidkar, who is also the party's convenor for the civic polls, Yogesh Mulick, and Mahesh Wabale. From the ally Shiv Sena, Ulhas Bagul has submitted his papers. Bidkar expressed gratitude to senior leaders, including the Chief Minister, for the opportunity to contest.
However, tensions are simmering. A BJP source acknowledged the inevitable fallout, saying, "It was obvious that there will be disappointed leaders who would not get candidature. A few may jump to other political parties to contest civic elections." This fear is not unfounded, as the opposition is actively looking to capitalize on any discontent.
Opposition Strategy and Alliance Discord
The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has indicated it will delay announcing its final list as part of a calculated strategy to attract disgruntled rebels from the BJP and its allies. Meanwhile, discord within the ruling alliance surfaced openly when workers of the RPI(A) held a protest outside the city BJP office on Monday. They accused the BJP of "fooling" them, claiming there was no clarity on seat allocation even as BJP candidates began filing nominations.
The polling for the crucial PMC elections is scheduled for January 15, with the results set to be declared on January 16. The BJP, which won 98 seats in the 2017 PMC elections, is aiming for a second consecutive term, bolstered by the induction of several leaders from rival parties. However, its current challenge lies in navigating the internal aspirations of thousands of workers while keeping its alliance intact, making its quiet, personalized candidate rollout a critical test of its organizational management.
