Pune Civic Polls 2026: BJP’s Komal Shendkar Secures Key Victory In Ward 18 Wanowrie Salunke Vihar
Pune Civic Polls 2026: BJP’s Komal Shendkar Secures Key Victory In Ward 18 Wanowrie Salunke Vihar
Pune, January 16, 2026: BJP leader Komal Shendkar has registered an important victory from Ward No. 18 in the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, further strengthening the party’s position in the city’s civic politics. The win is being seen as a significant milestone for the BJP as it continues to consolidate its influence across Pune under its ambitious “Mission 100+” campaign.
Shendkar, a seasoned party worker who has been associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party since 2015, emerged successful after a closely fought contest against candidates from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Her principal challenger was Shamika Praful Jambhulkar from the Indian National Congress, making the contest one of the more closely watched races in the ward.
Political observers attribute Shendkar’s success to her sustained grassroots presence and strong connect with local residents, particularly in the Salunke Vihar area. Throughout the campaign, she highlighted key civic concerns such as irregular water supply, poor road conditions, and basic infrastructure gaps, issues that resonated strongly with voters. Her focus on everyday civic problems is believed to have helped her gain the trust of a broad section of the electorate.
The victory also marks a significant turnaround in Shendkar’s political journey. She had earlier contested the Pune Municipal Corporation elections in 2017 but was unsuccessful. Her win this time is being viewed as a testament to perseverance, growing organisational support, and increased voter confidence in her leadership.
Soon after the results were declared, BJP workers and supporters gathered at the counting centre to celebrate the victory. Party leaders described the Ward 18 outcome as a crucial addition to the BJP’s overall tally in Pune and a step forward in achieving its civic poll objectives.
With this win, Komal Shendkar is expected to play an active role in addressing local civic issues and contributing to the BJP’s governance agenda within the Pune Municipal Corporation, as the party looks to maintain and expand its dominance in the city.
