The race for the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections has taken a distinctly familial turn, with several heavyweight leaders from the ruling Mahayuti alliance actively lobbying to secure party nominations for their sons. The filing of nomination papers for the crucial civic polls, scheduled for January 15, 2025, began on Wednesday, December 24, 2024, setting the stage for intense political maneuvering centered on legacy and loyalty.
Senior Leaders and Their Political Heirs
At the forefront of this trend are three prominent figures from the region, each representing a constituent party of the Mahayuti. Shrirang Barne, the Shiv Sena (Shinde) MP from Maval, is seeking a ticket for his son, Vishwajeet Kadam, from the Thergaon ward. Barne has asserted that his son has proven his mettle by serving as a Shiv Sena youth leader and managing party affairs in Western Maharashtra.
From the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Anna Bansode, the Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, is pushing for the candidacy of his son, Siddharth Bansode. Siddharth confirmed he has been interviewed by the NCP leadership and has sought a ticket from the party, despite receiving offers from others, including the BJP. He emphatically stated his family's loyalty to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, declaring they would remain his loyalists irrespective of the ticket outcome.
Completing the trio is BJP MLC Uma Khapre, a two-time former PCMC corporator, who is advocating for her son, Jaydeep Khapre, from Ward No. 19 (Ramkrishna More auditorium). Jaydeep has previously headed the BJP's sports wing and the Pradhikaran-Chinchwad Mandal, and has also been interviewed by the party's high command.
The Dynastic Politics Defense
The push for tickets has inevitably ignited discussions about dynastic politics, a charge that the leaders have been quick to counter. Anna Bansode downplayed the allegations, arguing that his son has been actively working on the ground in the Pimpri constituency for years, interacting with citizens and resolving their issues, especially when Bansode Sr. is occupied with legislative duties in Mumbai.
Uma Khapre presented a more principle-based argument, emphasizing that "those who work for the party should be given preference." She pointedly added that some individuals demand nominations without having put in the necessary groundwork for the party, implying that her son's documented record of service sets him apart.
A Wider Pattern of Familial Claims
The trend extends beyond these three leaders, indicating a broader pattern within the political landscape of Pimpri Chinchwad. Former mayor Mangala Kadam's son, Kushagra, who recently joined the BJP, is a probable candidate from the Sambhajinagar area. Similarly, another ex-mayor, Sanjog Waghere, who switched to the BJP just last week, is attempting to secure nominations for both his son and his wife.
On the NCP front, the son of party leader Vilas Lande, Vikrant Lande—a former corporator himself—is also in the fray seeking a ticket. From the BJP, the mother of MLC Amit Gorkhe, Anuradha Gorkhe (also a former corporator), is hoping for a nomination from the Sambhajinagar area.
As the January 15 election date draws closer, the final decisions of party leaderships on these familial claims will be closely watched. The outcomes will not only shape the electoral battlefield for the Pimpri Chinchwad civic polls but also reflect the parties' public stance on the perennial issue of dynasty versus merit in Indian politics.
