Dolphin Chowk in Pune: The Crossroads of Contention in Pune’s Tri-Parliamentary Election Battleground

Dolphin Chowk in Bibwewadi in Pune is renowned for the statue of three dolphins standing at the crossroads of three parliamentary constituencies: Baramati, Shirur, and Pune. This unique location makes it a battleground for political parties during elections, with citizens debating over which candidate to support.

Residents living near Dolphin Chowk in Bibvewadi express diverse opinions on the candidates. Some advocate for Ravindra Dhangekar of Congress for Pune, praising his hard work. Others prefer Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, contesting from the Baramati seat, citing their familiarity with the Pawar family’s work. The chowk serves as a meeting point for residents from all three constituencies, engaging in lively discussions about the candidates and their potential impact.

However, not all residents are satisfied with the candidates’ visibility and performance. Some complain about the lack of presence of certain candidates, while others highlight persistent issues such as road repairs, slum encroachments, and deteriorating infrastructure along the thoroughfare connecting the constituencies. Shirur constituency has ex MP Adhalrao Patil, who has been a 3 time MP and current MP Dr Amol Kolhe who are contesting the elections.  

Residents also express conflicting views on party allegiance. While some advocate for continuity by supporting incumbents, others argue for change to address ongoing issues effectively. Campaign activities at Dolphin Chowk include auto-rickshaws blaring slogans and speeches by candidates, although their effectiveness is questioned amidst the noisy environment.