Journalism of Courage
The panel is formed by mainly merging three electoral wards currently represented by independent corporator Laxman Arde,BJP corporator Ganesh Bidkar and Congress corporator Vidya Bhokare.
Congress as well as BJP-Shiv Sena have their strong patches in this panel. Sources said that MNS also has its vote bank in certain areas. With reservation for open category women,sitting corporator Vidya Bhokare is again seeking ticket from Congress. However,former corporator Mukhtar Shaikh and former vice president of youth wing of Congress are also seeking ticket for their wives in this category.
BJP,Shiv Sena and RPI alliance do not have a strong woman face in this panel. Local party leaders of the three parties from this panel would be seeking tickets for their wives. NCP is also struggling to get in an influential woman candidate for this panel.
Due to scheduled caste reservation,Bidkar would not be contesting elections from this panel. Sources said there would internal competition among aspirants from BJP,Shiv Sena and RPI for getting the ticket for this panel. Meanwhile,sources said that independent sitting corporator Laxman Arde will be seeking ticket from the Congress. Another Congress leader Ravi Mohite,member of PMC’s education board,is interested in contesting election from this panel. Ajay Tayde is seeking ticket from MNS.
