Pune Politics Heats Up: Wanowrie’s Ex-Congress Corporator Joins BJP
Pune Politics Heats Up: Wanowrie’s Ex-Congress Corporator Joins BJP
Pune, December 27, 2025: In a significant development ahead of the upcoming civic elections, a former Congress corporator from Wanowrie and son of former state minister Balasaheb Shivarkar and ex-corporator Kavita Shivarkar formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Pune on Saturday.
The induction took place in the presence of Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol, Pune city BJP president Dhiraj Ghate and senior party functionaries. The move is being seen as a major boost for the BJP in the Wanowrie assembly segment, particularly in Prabhag 18, where political issues are already in flux.
Shivarkar’s entry into the BJP has reportedly unsettled rival aspirants and co-contestants in the ward, as he brings with him both political legacy and administrative experience. His switch is being closely watched as parties intensify preparations for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections. His entry into BJP has also shaken the aspiring candidates from BJP too.
This development marks the second major political shift in Pune within a short span, following former NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) leader Prashant Jagtap’s recent induction into the Congress, indicating a phase of intense realignment across parties in the city.
Shivarkar previously served as a corporator in the Pune Municipal Corporation from 2007 to 2012. During his tenure, he was credited with initiating and supporting several key civic projects, including the Mahatma Phule Sanskrutik Bhavan and the Vilasrao Deshmukh Sports Complex, which continue to serve residents across the city.
Political observers believe Shivarkar’s move could influence voter dynamics in Wanowrie and surrounding areas, adding momentum to the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its local base ahead of the civic polls.
