PMC Elections 2026: Amol Balwadkar Switches to NCP Ajit Pawar, BJP Faces Heat in Ward 9
PMC Elections 2026: Amol Balwadkar Switches to NCP Ajit Pawar, BJP Faces Heat in Ward 9
Pune’s municipal elections have entered a critical phase, with Ward No. 9 emerging as one of the most politically sensitive and closely watched battlegrounds. Recent decisions taken amid internal insecurity have visibly placed the Bharatiya Janata Party under pressure in this key ward.
Former BJP corporator and a strong grassroots leader from the area, Amol Balwadkar, has officially exited the BJP and decided to contest the Pune Municipal Corporation election on a Nationalist Congress Party ticket. Political observers see this move as far more than a routine party switch. It is being described as a political earthquake capable of reshaping the balance of power in Ward 9.
In the backdrop of the recent Assembly elections, Balwadkar, who had shown interest in contesting from the Kothrud Assembly constituency, had managed to generate strong momentum at the local level. While the possibility of Chandrakant Patil being denied the Assembly ticket was always slim, his aggressive political approach during that period is now being widely debated. Many believe this stance unintentionally strengthened Balwadkar’s political standing, expanding his recognition beyond Ward 9 to the wider city.
Across the Baner, Balewadi, Pashan, and Sus belt, Balwadkar was long considered the BJP’s most reliable and well-known face. However, the party’s decision to once again deny him a civic election ticket has triggered open discussion that the responsibility for the fallout may rest with Chandrakant Patil.
Political circles are abuzz with claims that Balwadkar’s marginalisation in the municipal polls is linked to his earlier Assembly ambitions. Such perceptions, analysts warn, could contribute to the formation of a negative narrative against the BJP in the region.
From an organisational perspective, Balwadkar’s exit is believed to have significantly weakened the BJP’s structure in Ward 9, with estimates suggesting a loss of nearly half its local strength. In particular, he is expected to secure substantial support from the Pashan area, traditionally regarded as a stronghold of the Nationalist Congress Party. Experts also caution that the impact of these shifting equations may extend beyond Ward 9, potentially influencing neighbouring Ward No. 8 as well.
Overall, decisions taken at the local level, largely driven by political insecurity, are increasingly being viewed as a self-inflicted challenge for the BJP. The developments in Ward 9 are now under close scrutiny, as the entire city watches to see how significantly they will shape the final outcome of the Pune Municipal Corporation elections.
