PCMC polls: Some bigwigs opt out of race, others hop from one party to another

Among those from the NCP who are not in the field this time include the likes of Mangala Kadam, the former mayor, Ajit Gavhane, former standing committee chairman, Geeta Mancharkar, who was the corporator twice from Nehrunagar, Shyam Lande, who was the NCP corporator twice from Kasarwadi, former mayor Mohini Lande of Bhosari, her son Vikrant Lande, who was the corporator in 2017, Amar Moolchandani, who was the deputy mayor and corporator from Pimpri area, and Rahul Kalate, who was with the NCP (SP) but is now contesting on the BJP ticket from Wakad area.

NCP leader Ajit Gavhane, who is known for his proximity to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, said, “I am not in the fray this time because the party wanted me to concentrate on getting corporators elected from the Bhosari area. Therefore, I am concentrating on party work and campaigning.”

Ticket aspirant breaks down

Asha Shendge, who was denied a ticket despite having convincingly won from the Kasarwadi-Dapodi area twice, broke down as she narrated her experience. Shendge was even jailed by the PCMC administration after she and other citizens of her area had held a protest at the commissioner’s cabin during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have been a corporator who consistently raised the voice of the people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when we agitated on the issue of roads remaining dug up for days together in our area, we had to face a jail term. Undaunted, I continue to work for the people. Yet the party has denied me a ticket. It shattered my family. Even my brother, who was from his childhood days a part of the BJP, was denied a ticket. We never thought this would happen to us. And, therefore, I decided to join the Ajit Pawar-led NCP,” she said. Shendge has opted out.

NCP leaders said Mangala Kadam has opted out as her son, Kushagra, is contesting on a BJP ticket.

BJP state general secretary Raju Durge said, “I had been preparing to contest from the Sambhaji Nagar area, but the party has not fielded me. Similarly, my daughter, who had lost by a mere 55 votes last time, had also been denied a ticket. I am disappointed, but I will continue to work relentlessly for the victory of my party. I am the loyal soldier of the party… I am hopeful my party will do justice to me in the coming days.”

Geeta Mancharkar said, “I was elected twice and was looking for a hat-trick from Nehrunagar. I also had a good chance of becoming the mayor. However, the seat was reserved this time for women from the general category. And, therefore, I have opted out.”

Shyam Lande, whose family has been in the PCMC elections fray for 30 years, said, “The Kasarwadi seat, which I had won twice, has become reserved for women. And, therefore, I have fielded my wife, who has never contested a civic election but has campaigned for me in every election.”

Another bigwig and former mayor, Aparna Doke, who was with the NCP, is now contesting on the BJP ticket from Chinchwad. Former NCP mayor Shakuntala Darade is also a BJP candidate this time.

Former deputy mayor Raju Misal, former standing committee chairpersons Seema Sawale and Prashant Shitole, too, have switched sides in these elections.

Seema Sawale, who was thrice elected on a BJP ticket, has shifted her allegiance to the NCP in this election. She is contesting from the Indrayaninagar-Balajinagar area. Raju Misal, who had won as an NCP candidate in the past, is contesting on the BJP ticket from Pradhikaran area. Similarly, Prashant Shitole, a close aide of Ajit Pawar, is contesting this time on the BJP ticket from the Sangvi area.

The PCMC elections are scheduled to be held on January 15.