As poll campaigning wraps up today, the bitter fights playing out in Pimpri Chinchwad as BJP, NCP go all out

Campaigning for the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) polls, which has witnessed a bitter battle between rival contestants and parties in some areas, will draw to a close on Tuesday evening. In most seats, the contest is between the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which are alliance partners at the state level. While the polling will take place on Thursday, the results will be announced the following day.

The campaigning in recent weeks has seen the NCP and BJP go all out to capture power in the civic body. After ruling the PCMC for over 20 years, the NCP had in 2017 lost it to the BJP, which had won with a brute majority – 78 of its candidates became corporators in the 128-member House. The NCP was relegated to second position with just 36 corporators. While the NCP is desperate to return to power, as Ajit’s speeches have reflected, the BJP is hoping to repeat its big win.

Ajit led all of NCP’s rallies, meetings and press conferences, even though the party has tied up with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) which has a small presence in Pimpri Chinchwad. For the BJP, top leaders including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state chief Ravindra Chavan and Minister Pankaja Munde had arrived to campaign.

However, Pimpri Chinchwad has mainly witnessed a verbal battle between Ajit and Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge, which the NCP chief started. This has had a cascading effect on some of the seats where both parties have put in maximum efforts to win.

Campaigning has also been intense in areas where leaders have switched parties. For instance, in Indrayani Nagar-Balajinagar area, where three-time corporator Seema Sawale is contesting, the BJP has fielded Dr Suhas Kamble, a prominent orthopaedic surgeon. Once electioneering began, Sawale joined the NCP and was fielded by the party. NCP leaders say the BJP has left no stone unturned to defeat her. NCP leader Sarang Kamtekar said, “Our information is that money is being distributed to voters… But nothing will work. Seema Sawale has been relentless in implementing development works.”

Similarly, in Pimpri, the BJP is gunning for former corporator Sandeep Waghere, who quit the party during campaigning and joined the NCP. He is up against Ganesh Dhakane of the BJP.

In Wakad, BJP’s Rahul Kalate and NCP’s Mayur Kalate are battling it out in a close battle. “Though Rahul seems to have the edge, anything can happen on the election turf. No one can predict who will win… The Kalates are prominent local families, which makes the battle more interesting,” said Govindrao Baliga, a resident of Wakad.

In Sangvi, where ex-NCP corporator Prashant Shitole is contesting, Ajit Pawar took a jibe at him at a rally and asked how people can change loyalties despite getting everything from the party. Prashant is up against former corporator Atul Shitole, the son of former mayor Nana Shitole. “Both contestants are popular in Sangvi. I think it will be a tough battle as the NCP seems to be upset over Prashant,” said Dominic Lobo, who lives in Sangvi.

In Thergaon, Vishwajit Barne, the son of MP Shrirang Barne who has been fielded by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is facing a challenge from two candidates – Siddheshwar Barne of the BJP and Santosh Barne of the NCP. The Sena has tied up with the NCP here as it failed to strike an alliance with the BJP. Though Vishwajit is contesting his first election, MP Shrirang is confident that his son will emerge victorious with flying colours. “Vishwajit has been Sena’s youth president for Western Maharashtra. He has a good connect with young voters in Pimpri Chinchwad and beyond,” the MP said.

Siddharth Bansode, son of Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode, is also contesting his first election in Chinchwad. He has been fielded by the NCP and is facing a challenge from Kamlesh Walke.

In Yamunagar, former corporator Sulabha Ubale is locked in a three-cornered contest with Ashwini Chikhale of the MNS and Manisha Kulkarni of the BJP. Local residents say the presence of three strong candidates has created quite a buzz here.

In the Pradhikaran area, former deputy mayor Raju Misal, who had won three elections on an NCP ticket, is contesting for the BJP this time. “The fight is between Misal and former corporator Dhananjay Kalbhor. Though the NCP is trying to defeat its former leader, it will be tough as the area has always favoured BJP candidates,” said Iklas Sayeed, a resident of Akurdi.

In Nehrunagar, two former corporators – Rahul Bhosale and Sadguru Kadam – are battling it out. While Bhosale is contesting on an NCP ticket, former Congress member Kadam is now contesting on a BJP ticket. “Bhosale’s family has been winning the Nehru Nagar seat for long. Before him, his father Hanumant Bhosale had won the seat several times. The question is whether the Bhosales will keep the momentum going or will be ousted,” said Kiran Dhanavte, a civic activist.

In Kasarwadi-Sant Tukaram Nagar, former corporators Sulaksahna Dhar of the NCP(SP) and Jitendra Nanaware of the NCP are battling it out. “Nanaware is part of the panel formed by NCP’s Pimpri Chinchwad president Yogesh Behl. In the same panel, former corporator Sham Lande’s wife is also a candidate. This panel looks strong… Dhar is not attached to any panel. She is fighting all alone… She might scrape through as the NCP and BJP try to outdo each other,” said Lahu Landge, a local resident.

In Walhekarwadi, former corporators Namdev Dhake and Bhausaheb Bhoir are also locked in an interesting battle that could swing either way. “Both are popular leaders and have good standing,” said Avinash Chilekar, a political analyst.

In Talawade, another close contest is playing out between former corporators Pankaj Bhalekar and Shantaram Bhalekar. In Pimpri Prabhag, former deputy mayor Dabbu Aswani of the NCP is facing a challenge from Naresh Punjabi of the BJP in a contested poll. In Kalewadi, former corporators Vinod Nade of the BJP and Machindra Tapkir of the NCP are battling it out. “Both are popular and therefore it is difficult to say what will happen,” said Lata Mahankale, an activist.