In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured its first victory in the ongoing Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections even before the polls, with its candidate Ravi Landge being declared elected unopposed from the Bhosari area. This marks the second consecutive time a candidate has won without a contest from this ward, raising serious questions and political controversy.
Victory Amidst Confusion and Allegations
The unopposed win of Ravi Landge from Bhosari Prabhag Number 6 (Dhavadevasti ward) has left the opposition in disarray. The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has expressed complete bafflement over its own failure to field a candidate. NCP's Pimpri-Chinchwad president, Yogesh Behl, stated he had "no clue" about what transpired in Bhosari or even who the party's intended candidate was.
Behl shifted responsibility to another party leader, Ajit Gavhane, who was reportedly tasked with handling candidature in the Bhosari Assembly segment. However, Gavhane, when contacted, also pleaded ignorance, directing queries back to Behl. An anonymous NCP leader called the situation "surprising," noting that despite high demand from aspirants, the party inexplicably left the seat uncontested.
In contrast, the BJP is celebrating. BJP MLA Mahesh Landge, overseeing party affairs in Bhosari, hailed the win as a "special moment." He claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed setting aside political rivalry for Bhosari's development, leading to Ravi Landge's induction into the BJP and his subsequent unopposed election.
AAP Calls for Investigation, BJP Cites Development Mandate
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has reacted strongly, demanding an official probe. AAP spokesperson Mukund Kirdat pointed to Bhosari's reputation for political strong-arm tactics, suggesting that aspirants are often prevented from filing nominations in parts of the segment. He urged the State Election Commission (SEC) to proactively investigate the repeated unopposed victories rather than wait for a formal complaint.
Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar provided the official account, confirming that three candidates initially filed nominations for the Dhavadevasti ward. Two—Landge's wife and an independent, Prasad Kate—withdrew, leaving Ravi Landge as the sole contender. The final declaration is scheduled for January 16, 2026.
Prasad Kate, who withdrew his independent nomination, denied any pressure from the BJP. He attributed his decision to long-standing friendly relations with the Landge family and claimed Ravi Landge promised to appoint him as ward in-charge to implement his development plans.
Political Repercussions and Broader Context
Ravi Landge, a recent defector from the Shiv Sena (UBT), has now given the BJP an early boost in the crucial civic polls. MLA Mahesh Landge asserted that this victory, achieved with support from "like-minded parties," proves the BJP's dominance on the development agenda. He confidently predicted victory for all 128 BJP candidates, highlighting that the opposition failed to field candidates in all wards.
This incident has cast a shadow over the electoral process in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The AAP's allegations of intimidation and the NCP's internal confusion present a challenge for the State Election Commission's promise of free and fair polls. The focus now shifts to whether the SEC will initiate an inquiry and how this early, uncontested victory will influence the campaign dynamics for the remaining seats.
