Pune: BJP Appoints Ganesh Bidkar As Group Leader; Mayor’s Post Still Undecided
Pune: BJP Appoints Ganesh Bidkar As Group Leader; Mayor’s Post Still Undecided
Pune, January 30, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday announced Ganesh Bidkar as its group leader in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), even as suspense continues over the party’s choice for the mayoral post.
BJP state president Ravindra Chavan confirmed Bidkar’s appointment in a letter addressed to PMC Commissioner Naval Kishor Ram. Bidkar, a former Pune mayor, was elected from Ward No. 24D (Kasba Peth–Kamala Nehru Hospital–KEM Hospital) in the recent civic polls. He secured a decisive victory over Pranav Dhangekar, son of Shiv Sena leader Ravindra Dhangekar, with a margin of 9,248 votes.
While the BJP has named its leader in the civic body, the party is yet to announce its nominee for mayor. The election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor is scheduled for February 6, and as per the draw of lots, the mayor’s post has been reserved for a woman corporator elected from the general category.
In the PMC elections held on January 15, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, winning 119 of the 165 seats. The NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) secured 27 seats, Congress won 15, NCP (SP) three seats, and Shiv Sena (UBT) one seat.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have already announced their leaders in the civic body. Congress has named Ramchandra Kadam, NCP has appointed Nilesh Nikam, while NCP (SP) has chosen Sopan Chavan as its leader.
