Dabbu Aswani to be new PCMC standing panel chief

Aswani Thursday filed his nomination papers in the afternoon. By evening, nobody else had filed his or her paper for the post which means Aswani’s election will be unopposed. The election is scheduled for April 5.

[related-post]

During the filing of the nomination paper, NCP Pimpri-Chinchwad unit president Sanjog Waghere, city women’s president Sujata Palande, law committee chief Nanda Takawane, corporator Asha Salunkhe and former mayor Yogesh Behl were present.

Several NCP corporators, including Narayan Bahirwade, Ameena Pansare, Rohit Kate, Savita Salunkhe, Shubhangi Londhe, Sanjay Wable, Kailas Thopte, Anita Tapkir, Sandeep Chinchwade and Suman Netke had applied to the party for the post of chairmanship of the standing committee.

The NCP leader said Aswani belongs to the powerful Sindhi community of Pimpri where the BJP is trying to spread its wings. “Besides four times in a row, the mayor’s post had been given to women. Therefore, the chairman’s post is being reserved for male corporator,” NCP leaders said. Kadam said Aswani has promised to ensure the victory of at least 10 corporators from Pimpri area.

Meanwhile, the outgoing standing committee led by chairman Atul Shitole which had sanctioned Rs 120 crore projects on its last day is struggling hard to explain the reason for its sudden approval. Shitole has been busy trying to explain to everyone that the committee has done nothing wrong. BJP leader Sarang Kamtekar said the BJP will not let the standing committee indulge in such acts. “We will pursue the issue to its logical conclusion. We have already brought the issue to the notice of the state government,” he said.