Civic polls 2017: Devendra Fadnavis’s panel formula baffles aspirants

Government favours panel system but has told the Bombay High Court that it prefers ward-wise poll; aspirants seek quick clarity.

Devendra Fadnavis, CM Devendra Fadnavis, civic polls 2017, pune civic polls 2017, pune news

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

JUST WHEN they were waiting for a clarity on civic polls, aspirants in the city got further confused on Thursday when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hinted at continuing with the two-ward panel system for next year’s civic elections. The state government had informed the Bombay High Court last year that the civic elections will be held as per the single-ward system, but the CM’s ‘two-ward panel’ plan has baffled the political aspirants in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
On Thursday, the CM said that the state government is yet to take a decision on the system to be finalised for the next year civic elections. “The demand is that it should be a panel system for the civic elections instead of separate wards. However, the two-ward panel system seems to be the preferred choice as more wards in the panel will lead to issues after elections,” he said.

In 2017, many prominent civic bodies, including Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), will go for elections.

The previous state government, led by Congress-NCP alliance, had implemented a two-ward panel system in 2012 civic elections. The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, which is in power now in the state, seems to favour it. However, a former corporator, now an aspirant for next elections, Maruti Bhapkar, said, “The CM’s announcement has caused nothing but confusion. The government last year told the HC that it favoured ward-wise elections and now the CM says something different. The government should make up its mind fast as aspirants have to gear up for the big show.”

Earlier, the PMC and PCMC used to follow the single-ward level system for elections. In 2002, it was a three-ward panel, 2007 it was one-ward system and in 2012, it was two-ward panel.

“The system for the civic elections is decided in the interest of their party by those in power at the state level. The efforts are to strengthen their base in the local level as it benefits them during the assembly elections,” said an aspirant and NCP activist.

Congress leader and deputy mayor Ulhas Bagul said that the state government will have to take a decision only after taking a call on the proposed merger of 34 more villages in PMC. “If there is addition of villages in PMC, then the entire exercise of deciding ward boundaries can be carried out and then a decision on the system can be implemented,” he said, adding, that if the existing PMC jurisdiction is retained till the next civic elections then the state government should not change the two-ward panel system for 2017 civic elections.

Two-time PCMC corporator Seema Salve said panel system is better than ward system. “In ward-system, if a ward becomes reserved, an aspirant who is slogging for years loses the opportunity to contest the election. At the same time, in a panel system, if one corporator is not performing, the other one is there to compete. There is competition among corporators that results in gain for the area,” she said.

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A BJP leader said that the state government in the past under the rule of Congress-NCP might have taken decision as per its convenience but the BJP-led government will not do that and always put its interest ahead. “We won all the eight assembly seats and the Pune Lok Sabha from the city in 2014 — this despite the fact that the party had little strength in the PMC. The BJP will come to power in PMC on whatever system is finalised for the next civic elections,” the BJP leader said.

Shiv Sena corporators said that their party had shown its strength in the assembly elections and will show the same during the civic elections, irrespective of the system that will be finalised.

Former Pimpri-Chinchwad deputy mayor Amar Moolchandani said in a panel system, there is an opportunity to work for a large area while in a ward system there is hardly any space to bring in big development projects. “The Chief Minister has made the appropriate move and it should be implemented in the civic elections,” he said.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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