PMC Elections: Lahu Balwadkar Intensifies BJP Campaign in Ward 9
Baner, 4th January 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has denied a ticket to former corporator Amol Balwadkar from Ward No. 9 (Sus–Baner–Pashan) in the Pune Municipal Corporation elections and instead fielded Lahu Balwadkar, president of the Kothrud North Mandal.
Amol Balwadkar had earlier indicated a possible rebellion during the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections from the Kothrud constituency against senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil. Although senior party leaders later persuaded him to withdraw at the time, the episode reportedly caused dissatisfaction among BJP supporters in the area. Party sources suggest that this background played a role in the decision to replace him in the civic polls.
The BJP has now placed its confidence in Lahu Balwadkar, describing him as a consistent and active party worker in the ward. Apart from the BJP and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) candidates, Rohini Chimte, Ganesh Kalamkar, and Mayuri Kokate are also in the fray from Ward No. 9.
Following the denial of the BJP ticket, Amol Balwadkar joined the Nationalist Congress Party led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at the last moment and has announced his candidature from the same ward on the NCP symbol. After switching parties, Balwadkar expressed dissatisfaction with local BJP leaders and said he would contest the election strongly.
Reacting to the developments, BJP candidate Lahu Balwadkar stated that he would run a disciplined and issue-based campaign. The sudden change in political alignments has intensified the contest in Ward No. 9, setting up a direct fight between the BJP and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction).
