Journalism of Courage
This panel has come into being by merger of four electoral wards — 28 -Baner-Balewadi and parts of wards 30 – Pashan,31 -Aundh ITI and 32 -Raj Bhavan represented by NCP’s Baburao Chandere,NCP’s Pramod Nimhan,Congress corporator Shivaji Bangar and NCP’s Usha Jadhav respectively.
The area has seen domination of Congress and NCP since the 1990s when Dattatraya Gaikwad served three terms as a corporator and then was appointed as mayor of the city. Bangar was elected as OBC candidate from his electoral ward in the last elections from Aundh area. In the Baner-Balewadi ward,Chandere was elected last year and now hopes to continue his post from this panel.
According to the new reservation,the panel is reserved for open (women) and open category candidates.
Chandere claimed that he has the credit of maximum utilisation of JNNURM funds,which will get him votes in 2012 elections. I am sure that women candidate will also be of my party,which will help in speeding up development in this panel, he said.
According to residents of Balewadi,even basic facilities like regular drinking water,power supply and good condition roads is a distant dream. The public transport connectivity from Balewadi to other parts of the city is also not good and we have to depend on auto-rickshaw drivers or private vehicles to go to the city, said Sushma Shirke,a banker staying in Balewadi area.
