Pune: ‘Carrot and Sweet Potato’ Protest Against PMC Over Neglect of Merged Villages by NCP
Shivajinagar, 14th July 2025: Alleging neglect and financial exploitation of residents in the 32 villages recently merged into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) – Sharad Pawar faction on Monday staged a symbolic ‘Carrot and Sweet Potato’ protest outside the PMC headquarters in Shivajinagar.
The protest was led by NCP Pune City President Prashant Jagtap, who strongly criticized both the PMC and the ruling Mahayuti government for what he called “consistent denial of development” and “unjust financial burden” on property taxpayers in the newly included areas.
“Residents of these 32 villages, including Manjari Budruk, were shown the carrot of 40% property tax rebate and promises of development. But in reality, they are being penalized with 2% interest on pending taxes, amounting to usury,” Jagtap alleged during the protest.
The agitating party leaders and workers raised slogans against the PMC administration and the state government, accusing them of betraying citizens and failing to deliver on their commitments after the villages were added to the municipal limits.
Jagtap warned that if immediate steps are not taken to begin civic development work and revoke the penalty interest on property tax, the party will intensify its protest in the coming days.
Prominent local leaders who participated in the protest included Ravindra Malvadkar, Uday Mahale, Asha Sane, Gajendra More, Kishor Kamble, Vaishali Thopte, Dilshad Attar, Pooja Katkar, Ramiz Sayyed, Asif Shaikh, and Ganesh Nalawade, among others.
