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PCMC polls: BJP, NCP set for a straight fight in 44 seats as alliances fail to take shape

The PCMC has 32 prabhags, from which 128 corporators will be elected. Each prabhag elects four corporators, with political parties fielding panels of four candidates

4 min readPuneJan 4, 2026 09:50 PM IST

Last week, NCP national president Ajit Pawar had slammed the BJP’s 2017–2022 tenure, alleging large-scale corruption and signalling the party’s aggressive bid to regain control of the civic body

Even as parties owing allegiance to the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the Mahayuti have failed to form alliances for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections, it has emerged that in as many as 44 seats there will be a direct contest between candidates of the BJP and the NCP, underlining the intense battle between the two parties to capture power in the civic body.

The PCMC has 32 prabhags, from which 128 corporators will be elected. Each prabhag elects four corporators, with political parties fielding panels of four candidates. The candidates in each panel represent different categories : general, OBC, SC and ST.

In all, 692 candidates are in the fray for the PCMC polls 2026. As many as 443 candidates across parties withdrew their nominations by the last date of withdrawal. Two BJP candidates, Ravi Landge and Supriya Chandgude, have been elected unopposed.

The 44 seats where the BJP and NCP will be locked in a direct fight are 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 6C, 7B, 7C, 7D, 8B, 10C, 12B, 15B, 15C, 19C, 21B, 21D, 24A, 24C, 24D, 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 27B, 27D, 28A, 28A, 28D, 29A, 29B, 29C and 29D.

In as many as 23 seats, there will be a three-cornered contest between the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP. These include 1D, 2C, 4D, 5C, 11D, 12C, 12D, 14C, 14D, 16B, 16C, 18D, 19A, 21A, 22A, 23B, 23C, 25B, 25D, 27A, 28C, 30B, 31A, 31B, 31C, 32A and 32C.

In 35 seats, a four-cornered contest will be witnessed between the BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress. These seats are 1A, 2A, 4A, 5D, 6A, 9D, 10A, 11C, 13B, 13C, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15D, 16A, 16D, 32B, 32D, 17A, 18B, 18C, 19B, 19D, 20B, 20C, 20D, 22C, 22D, 23D, 25A, 25C, 27C, 30A, 30C and 30D.

Several other seats will witness multi-cornered contests, including 8A, 8B, 8D, 9A, 9B, 10D, 11A, 11B, 12A, 13A, 13D, 17B, 17C, 17D, 20A, 22B and 23A.

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“It is true that this election is mainly between the BJP and the NCP. There will be a direct fight between the BJP and the NCP. But we are confident that we will outdo the NCP,” said BJP Pimpri-Chinchwad unit president Shratrughan Kate.

NCP Pimpri-Chinchwad leader Yogesh Behl said, “The Shiv Sena tried to form an alliance with the BJP but both failed to join hands. In two-three seats, the Shiv Sena has joined hands with us. In these seats, the Sena and NCP will take on the BJP. Otherwise, in most seats there will be a direct fight between BJP and NCP candidates.”

The BJP was in power in PCMC from 2017 to 2022. In the 2017 elections, the party had secured a landslide victory with 78 corporators in the 128-member House, dethroning the NCP, which had ruled the civic body for 25 years. The NCP is now seeking to oust the BJP from power.

Last week, NCP national president Ajit Pawar had slammed the BJP’s 2017–2022 tenure, alleging large-scale corruption and signalling the party’s aggressive bid to regain control of the civic body. “Be it a direct fight or a multi-cornered contest, we are confident of defeating BJP candidates,” Behl said.

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NCP leader Ajit Gavhane, who has opted out of the race to lead the party’s campaign, said, “The BJP is claiming that it will romp home by winning all the seats. They can claim anything. But the ground reality is different. The atmosphere has changed in our favour. People are fed up with BJP rule. They want a change. They know only Ajitdada can bring the change like he did during NCP rule for 25 years.”

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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