Assembly elections: BJP likely to replace 4 of old guard from Pune city

Pune has eight Assembly seats — Kasba Peth, Parvati, Pune Cantonment, Kothrud, Shivajinagar, Vadgaonsheri, Hadapsar and Khadakwasla.

Maharashtra Assembly elections, Pune Assembly candidates, Pune news, Girish Bapat, Dilip Kamble, Vijay Kale

The BJP will field a new face from Kasbapeth Assembly, as its sitting legislator and senior party leader Girish Bapat has been elected to the Lok Sabha from the Pune seat. (File)

The BJP is likely to replace at least four of its eight sitting legislators in Pune city and make way for new faces in the upcoming Assembly elections.

The party, which won all eight Assembly seats here — Kasba Peth, Parvati, Pune Cantonment, Kothrud, Shivajinagar, Vadgaonsheri, Hadapsar and Khadakwasla — in the 2014 state polls, also went on to win from the Pune Lok Sabha constituency held earlier this year.

Establishing its complete hold over the city’s politics, the party single-handedly wrested control over the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the first time in the February 2017 local bodies polls.

While Kasba Peth and Parvati are considered to be the party’s stronghold, the BJP in 2014 had managed to snatch Kothrud and Hadapsar seats from the Shiv Sena. The two parties had fought the 2014 state polls separately. The BJP had also managed to breach the Congress bastions Shivajinagar and Pune Cantonment, and NCP’s stronghold Vadgaonsheri and Khadakwasla that year.

In this election, the BJP is all set to field a new face from Kasbapeth Assembly, as its sitting legislator and senior party leader Girish Bapat has been elected to the Lok Sabha from the Pune seat. A five-term MLA from Kasba Peth, Bapat had defeated Congress’ Mohan Joshi by a huge margin of votes in the general elections.

The party is also likely to bring in a new face at Pune Cantonment Assembly seat, currently represented by Dilip Kamble, who was dropped as a minister in a Cabinet reshuffle in June. Kamble had courted controversy over some remarks which he had later backtracked after public anger swelled. He was reportedly also embroiled in an alleged case of corruption.

The BJP, sources said, is also likely to replace Vijay Kale, its sitting legislator from Shivajinagar Assembly seat, over reports of alleged factionalism in the party cadre in the constituency and opposition to Kale.

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The party was also considering a new face in Hadapsar Assembly constituency to replace sitting legislator Yogesh Tilekar, sources added. Tilekar, who had defeated Sena candidate from the seat in 2014, has courted several controversies in the last few years.

There is also speculation that sitting Kothrud MLA Medha Kulkarni may have to step aside to make way for state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil, who might contest from the Assembly seat.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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