Pune: Prashant Jagtap Secures Crucial Win in PMC Polls

Pune, January 16, 2026: Former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Prashant Jagtap, who recently joined the Congress, has won the Pune Municipal Corporation election, marking a significant breakthrough for the Congress in the city. With Jagtap’s victory, the Congress has opened its account in Pune, with reports confirming that two Congress candidates have won so far.

Prashant Jagtap contested the election against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and defeated Abhijit Shivarkar, son of former Minister of State Balasaheb Shivarkar. Abhijit Shivarkar had switched from the Congress to the BJP at the last moment before the polls.

Jagtap contested from Ward No. 18-D and emerged victorious in a closely fought contest, winning by a margin of around 1,800 votes. Meanwhile, his mother Ratnaprabha Jagtap was trailing in her contest.

Post-Victory Reaction:

Reacting to his win, Prashant Jagtap said that he had faced strong opposition, including nearly four MLAs and two former Ministers of State. He credited his victory to the people of Wanowrie and their trust in him. Emphasising his ideological stand, Jagtap said the ideals of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Dr B.R. Ambedkar remain alive and cannot be erased. He added that the win was not just personal but ideological and a reflection of the loyalty of the people of his constituency.

Who is Prashant Jagtap?

* Began his political career with the NCP in 1999

* Served multiple terms as corporator from Wanowrie

* Mayor of Pune during 2016–17

* Appointed Pune city president of NCP in 2021

* Stayed with the Sharad Pawar faction after the party split in 2023

* Contested the 2024 Assembly elections from Hadapsar

* Known as a close aide of Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule

* Elected corporator in 2012 and 2017

* Has held key civic and party positions, including PMPML director and party president at the city level

This victory is being seen as a morale booster for the Congress in Pune’s civic politics ahead of the full results of the 2026 municipal elections.