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Beyond reserved seats: 6 women win general category wards to become PMC corporators

Pune BJP chief Dheeraj Ghate said the party was proud that six women candidates had proved themselves by defeating male rivals in their respective wards.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Jan 21, 2026 04:14 PM IST

Pune Municipal Corporation, women corporators, 83 seats reserved,

In the PMC, 83 seats were reserved for women—two each in 40 wards and three in one ward. (File photo)

With 83 of the 165 seats in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reserved for women, it was expected that women corporators would outnumber their male counterparts. The results, however, delivered a surprise—six women contested in general category wards and won, taking the total number of women corporators to 89.

As per the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, it is mandatory to reserve half of the seats in local bodies for women candidates. In the PMC, 83 seats were reserved for women—two each in 40 wards and three in one ward.

In Kondhwa Budruk-Yewalewadi ward, all four elected corporators are women: the BJP’s Archana Jagtap, Vrushali Kamthe, Puja Kadam, and Ranjana Tilekar. This is most likely to be the only ward in the state where all elected members are women. Jagtap and Tilekar won from the general category.

Among the others who won in the general category are Veena Ghosh (BJP) from Sahakarnagar-Padmavati ward, who defeated city Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Subhash Jagtap; Palavi Jawale (BJP) from Raviwar Peth and Nana Peth; Nivedita Ekbote (BJP) from Shivajinagar-Model Colony ward; and Sangeeta Dangat of BJP from Kalas-Dhanori ward.

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“It is for the first time that such a large number of women have been elected to the PMC as corporators. The BJP had given maximum tickets to women candidates, irrespective of whether the seat was reserved for women or the general category. We are proud that six women candidates proved themselves by defeating male rivals in their respective wards,” city BJP chief Dheeraj Ghate said.

Ghate, who too has been elected to the PMC as corporator, said the large number of women would bring sincerity and discipline in the working of the general body and various civic panels of elected representatives.

A civic official said that women corporators were more likely to comprehend the issues faced by women employees. “We are happy that there are more women corporators in the PMC now. They will understand our issues and take them up at the appropriate level,” she added.

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Last year, a female civic officer had complained against a political worker harassing her and filed a complaint before the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, following which he was banned from entering the civic office.

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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