PMC Polls: Aspirants Rush to File Nominations as Parties Delay Final Candidate Lists
PMC Polls: Aspirants Rush to File Nominations as Parties Delay Final Candidate Lists
Pune, December 29, 2025: With the nomination deadline fast approaching, several aspirants have gone ahead and filed their papers for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections scheduled for January 15, even as major political parties are yet to officially declare their candidates.
As per the Maharashtra State Election Commission’s schedule, nomination papers can be submitted until December 30. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on December 31, while candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until January 2. The election campaign will be conducted under the Model Code of Conduct.
Ongoing seat-sharing negotiations within key political alliances, including the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the BJP–Shiv Sena alliance, have delayed the release of final candidate lists. Despite this uncertainty, more than 25 aspirants associated with the BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) filed their nomination papers on Saturday, even though they are yet to receive official party clearance.
Candidates who do not receive the mandatory ‘AB form’—the authorisation issued by parties to recognise an official nominee—can still contest the elections as independents. Several aspirants said filing nominations in advance helps keep that option open if party approval is delayed or denied.
Election officials noted that many aspirants filed multiple nominations—one on a party symbol and another as an independent. Some candidates also submitted nominations in the names of close family members as a precaution. Aspirants said these additional nominations would be withdrawn once official AB forms are issued.
Political analysts believe parties are intentionally delaying the announcement of candidate lists to curb internal dissent and prevent defections. Early declaration of candidates often leads to rebellion among those denied tickets. The BJP, in particular, is yet to release its list amid intense internal competition and ongoing alliance discussions, after reportedly screening over 2,200 aspirants for PMC seats.
