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‘PMC polls to build leaders, not goons’: Devendra Fadnavis calls out Ajit Pawar for NCP’s candidate selection

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis wrapped up the BJP’s poll campaign, criticising the NCP-NCP(SP) alliance for its ‘impractical’ promises to voters ahead of the PMC elections.

3 min readJan 13, 2026 05:59 PM IST

Fadnavis was referring to the candidates fielded by the Ajit Pawar-led NCP who allegedly have criminal links. (Image: @Devendra_Office/X)

The BJP upped its ante against Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hitting out at the NCP-NCP(SP) alliance, saying the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) election was not a means to “create goons” in the city.

“This is an election to bring change in the life of every citizen. The PMC election is not an election to make goons at the local level…(it is) to create the future leadership of the city. So, it should be taken up seriously,” Fadnavis said at a rally, wrapping up the BJP’s campaign for the PMC election scheduled for January 15.

Fadnavis was referring to the candidates fielded by the Ajit Pawar-led NCP who allegedly have criminal links. The BJP has been criticising Pawar for fielding candidates with registered offences against them.

“I do not want to criticise anyone, but they are giving assurances without any guarantee of fulfilling them,” Fadnavis said, in an indirect reference to the NCP-NCP(SP) manifesto, which promised free travel in Metro and public transport buses. Pawar had declared that the promise would be fulfilled the way the state government introduced the Ladki Bahin and free electricity for agriculture schemes.

Also Read | Fadnavis says ‘threat to Mumbai’ is a fake narrative by Thackeray brothers

BJP leaders, including Union minister Murlidhar Mohol and state minister Chandrakant Patil, have criticised the NCP-NCP(SP) alliance’s manifesto.

Fadnavis said that there was so much bad planning in Pune in the past during the rule of rivals that a flyover had to be demolished. “We are thinking of 20 years ahead of city planning…We have now constructed a flyover on Ganeshkhind Road, which will be completely open to the public soon. The widening of the railway underpass from 6m to 18m will be done soon,” he said, adding that the BJP has planned a 110 km Metro route, 33 new flyovers, widening of 32 main roads to decongest city roads, and underground roads to control city traffic.

In the last five years of BJP rule, development work of Rs 35,000 crore has been carried out, and planning of Rs 44,000 crore projects has been done, Fadnavis said. “Clean drinking water, complete sewage treatment, garbage processing, and slum development will be given a push,” he added.

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Fadnavis also assured women voters that the state government would continue its popular Ladki Bahin scheme, where Rs 1,500 per month is given to eligible women from economically weaker classes. “I assure you that the Ladki Bahin scheme will continue as long as your brother Devendra is the chief minister. My sisters will ensure the victory of the BJP candidates in the PMC elections. After being elected, BJP candidates should further empower women by making them ‘Lakhpati Didi’ as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans. In Maharashtra, 50 lakh women have already become ‘Lakhpati Didis’, and in the next six months, many more will become,” he said.

Fadnavis also urged voters to vote for the BJP symbol, instead of remembering the face of the candidate.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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