Pune's Deputy Mayor Candidate Parshuram Wadekar Follows Wife Sunita's Footsteps
In a remarkable political development for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Republican Party of India (Athawale) leader Parshuram Wadekar has been nominated as the candidate for deputy mayor, marking a significant family legacy in the city's civic leadership. This nomination comes after his wife, Sunita Wadekar, served in the same position during the previous term, creating a unique husband-wife succession in Pune's political landscape.
Political Arrangement Between BJP and RPI(A)
The nomination follows a long-standing arrangement between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Republican Party of India (Athawale), where the BJP takes the mayor's position while the RPI(A) secures the deputy mayor's post when in power. Parshuram Wadekar, who filed his nomination for the February 9 election, confirmed this political understanding, stating that the BJP has fulfilled its commitment to his party.
"I am glad that the BJP has given an opportunity to an activist of Ambedkarite movement for the upliftment of the Schedule Caste community," said Parshuram Wadekar. "I will give my best performance to justify my appointment as deputy mayor of Pune."
Historical Context and Election Background
Sunita Wadekar served as deputy mayor of Pune from 2021 to 2022, completing the previous five-year term. Following her tenure, the civic body experienced a period without an elected administration due to legal challenges regarding seat reservations in the Supreme Court. The court initially stayed the polls but later directed that elections proceed, leading to the current electoral process.
The BJP holds a commanding majority in the newly elected body with 119 of the 165 corporators, positioning the party to secure both the mayor and deputy mayor positions. The alliance between RPI(A) and BJP spans over a decade, with RPI(A) candidates contesting civic elections under the BJP's symbol and name, officially registering as BJP corporators.
Continuity in RPI(A) Leadership
This nomination continues a pattern of RPI(A) leaders serving as deputy mayor in Pune. During the previous term, RPI(A) leaders Navnath Kamble, Siddharth Dhende, and Sunita Wadekar—all elected as BJP corporators—assumed the deputy mayor position. Parshuram Wadekar's nomination represents both political continuity and a personal family legacy in Pune's governance structure.
The upcoming election on February 9 will formalize these political arrangements, with the BJP-RPI(A) alliance poised to maintain its influence in Pune's municipal administration through this carefully coordinated power-sharing agreement.
