16 couples in poll fray

The 50 per cent reservation for women in the upcoming civic elections has had more effect on the menfolk rather than the women in the industrial town of Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The 50 per cent reservation for women in the upcoming civic elections has had more effect on the menfolk rather than the women in the industrial town of Pimpri-Chinchwad. A number of male corporators are roping in their wives too into the ring to take advantage of the quota. Of 128 wards (64 panels),the PCMC House will have 64 women corporators.

During the recent interviews conducted by various political parties,it has come to light that at least 16 couples have sought tickets from the Nationalist Congress Party for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) polls. While the male candidates have demanded tickets for themselves from one ward,they plan to field their wives from neighbouring wards,reserved for women. In a few panels,both husband and wife have demanded party tickets from the same panel but in different categories: Open or reserved.

Among the couple candidates who have demanded party tickets is former deputy mayor Sudam Landge,who is looking to contest from Landewadi panel while his wife Lata Landge is eying Indrayaninagar panel.

Corporator Vaishali Ubale and her husband Sanjay are seeking tickets for contesting from Nigdi. Another corporator Kaluram Pawar wants to contest from open category in Chinchwad while his wife Meena is eying the reserved category panel. Corporator Ramdhar Dhariyas Jijamata panel in Pimpri has been reserved for women. His wife Pushpa has staked claim from the panel while Dhariya is eying Pimpri Waghere or Vijayanagar panel. Yet another corporator Surdas Gaikwad has demanded ticket from Phugewadi ward and his wife Sandya wants to contest as OBC candidate. Couples Surekha and Maruti Salunke; Baburao and Shaileja Shitole have asked for tickets from Sangvi area.

Former corporator Sopan Londhe and his wife Shobha have demanded candidature from Kasarwadi. Sopan Londhe has been elected twice from Kasarwadi while his wife had lost the previous election. Pandit Gawli,a former PCMC corporator,has sought a ticket to contest from Chakrapani Vasahat and Gawalinagar in Bhosari. His wife Vijaya wants to contest from Sandvik Colony panel,also in Bhosari.

PCMC corporator Mahesh Chandgude has staked claim from Krishnanagar panel while his wife Supriya Chandgude wants to contest from Sambhajinagar and Krishnanagar. PCMC divisional ward president Santosh Londhe is looking to contest in open category and his wife Shubhagi has demanded a ticket under the OBC quota in the other ward. Former deputy mayor Mohammad Pansare and his wife want tickets for open category and OBC panel in Kharalwadi.

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