In a significant political development for Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to retain its hold on both the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Despite a high-stakes challenge from the reunited alliance of Ajit Pawar’s NCP and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP), the BJP has emerged dominant for a second consecutive tenure.
The Numbers: A Clear Mandate
The BJP has secured a commanding lead across both civic bodies:
- PMC: Leads in 110 out of 165 seats.
- PCMC: Leads in 81 out of 128 seats.
This victory marks the first time the BJP will hold power in these corporations on its own, having previously relied on alliances between 2017 and 2022.
A Major Blow to the Pawar Legacy
The election was a critical test for the “two Pawars,” who reunited specifically to regain their strongholds from the BJP. However, the results raise serious questions about their political future:
- The Rout: The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) failed to open an account in 24 civic bodies, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faced a complete defeat in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
- Backfired Strategy: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s decision to challenge the BJP—an ally at the state level—appears to have failed. During the campaign, he targeted the BJP over alleged corruption, prompting BJP leaders to publicly express regret over their state-level partnership.
Why the BJP Won: Key Strategies
The BJP’s success is attributed to several calculated moves:
- Infrastructure Focus: Capitalizing on major projects initiated with state and Central government support.
- Inducting Rivals: The party recruited influential figures from the NCP, Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT), including family members of prominent opposition leaders.
- Fresh Faces: The BJP dropped 30 sitting corporators in favor of grassroots workers, adhering to a strict “winnability” criterion.
- Anti-Nepotism Policy: No relatives of sitting MLAs or MPs were granted tickets, a move that reportedly appealed to the party’s base.
- Managing Internal Friction: The party successfully quelled potential rebellions by personally engaging with disappointed aspirants.
What Lies Ahead?
With the Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for later this month, Ajit Pawar now faces a difficult choice: continue a strained cooperation within the Mahayuti government or consider a permanent merger with his uncle, Sharad Pawar, to survive the BJP’s expansion.
The results further consolidate the BJP’s recovery following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, solidifying its position as the leading political force in the region.
Source: Indian Express
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