First-term corporators to try their luck again

In fact,Shaikh had created a record of sorts as he was elected to the PCMC unopposed. This time,however,Shaikh,known for his strong-arm tactics,is posing confidence in his voters. “No unopposed election for me this time. I am seeking votes for widening roads in congested Akurdi area. The road works had remained pending for 15 years. Besides,I have helped PCMC take possession of the land reserved in the development plan,” he claimed. However,Shaikh’s public spat with party colleagues,the Shetty brothers,and his subsequent externment will make going tough for him,say political observers. “We are not worried…people know who can bring about development in Akurdi,” says Iklas,a supporter of Shaikh.

In the previous elections,Maruti Bhapkar was elected as an Independent corporator to PCMC. His election was said to be a “model one” as he hardly splurged any money. “Neither did he use goons to threaten voters,” says activist Manav Kamble. “Besides,he was pitted against bigwigs from the NCP and the Shiv Sena who were known for their money and muscle power.”

Bhapkar has decided to contest the election for the second time as an Independent. However,unlike the last time when he contested from an open seat,Bhapkar is likely to fight from an OBC seat as his Mohannagar ward has become a reserved one. “I am ready to contest for the second time. But I have set a condition for myself. I will contest only after my Kunbhi caste certificate his validated by the committee set up by the state government. If this happens before elections,I will contest. Otherwise,I will be out of the fray,” he said.

In 2007,Shiv Sena corporator Seema Savle had contested from an area where crime is rampant. Baljinagar is an area where residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad fear stepping into,especially during late hours. She won by a wafer thin margin of 7 votes. Savle will now again contest on a Sena ticket from Balajinagar-Phulenagar area.

“This time too,it will be a big challenge as Bajajinagar-Phulenagar and Landewadi slum areas pose one problem too many. But I am determined to fight it out,” she says. Savle was Sena’s most vocal voice in PCMC general body meetings. “She and her husband Sarang Kamtekar had caught civic administration on the wrong foot several times through their RTI applications,” said activist Shridhar Chalkha.