Pune: PMC Ward 4 Contest Heats Up As Samir Aba Bhadale Takes On BJP’s Surendra Pathare In Kharadi–Wagholi
Pune: PMC Ward 4 Contest Heats Up As Samir Aba Bhadale Takes On BJP’s Surendra Pathare In Kharadi–Wagholi
Pune, January 10, 2026: The political contest in Pune Municipal Corporation Ward 4, encompassing the rapidly growing Kharadi–Wagholi belt, has emerged as one of the most closely watched battles in eastern Pune. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Samir Aba Bhadale is locked in a high-stakes face-off against Surendra Pathare, who recently switched from the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
As campaigning enters a decisive phase, both candidates are stepping up outreach efforts, making the contest increasingly competitive. On the ground, Samir Aba Bhadale appears to be gaining momentum, driven by his strong grassroots connect and sustained engagement with residents across diverse sections of the ward.
Bhadale’s campaign has found resonance in housing societies, slum pockets, and newly developed areas of Kharadi and Wagholi, where residents continue to raise concerns over basic civic amenities. His earlier role in the Wagholi Gram Panchayat has added to his credibility, with voters recalling his involvement in resolving water supply issues, improving road conditions, developing public gardens, facilitating access to government healthcare, and supporting COVID-19 vaccination drives.
While Surendra Pathare remains a formidable challenger, local sentiment increasingly points towards a preference for experienced leadership with the ability to ensure coordination and deliver results. Bhadale has highlighted that with NCP leader Ajit Dada Pawar serving as Pune’s Guardian Minister, Ward 4 could benefit from improved administrative coordination and enhanced funding for long-pending infrastructure works.
Outlining his vision for the ward, Bhadale has promised improved civic infrastructure, a tanker-free Ward 4, and a cleaner Kharadi–Wagholi in line with the area’s rapid urbanisation. He has also underlined that much of Kharadi’s planned growth took shape during earlier NCP-led administrations, supported by reputed developers and structured planning.
With polling day drawing closer, the contest between Samir Aba Bhadale and Surendra Pathare is expected to remain intense. Ground-level interactions and campaign feedback suggest a tough and closely fought battle in PMC Ward 4, making it one of the key wards to watch in the upcoming civic elections.
