PMC Election 2026: Entrepreneur Punit Balan Casts Vote with Wife Janhvi; Calls for Accelerated Infrastructure Development
Pune, 15th January 2026: Prominent young entrepreneur Punit Balan and his wife, Janhvi Dhariwal-Balan, exercised their franchise today in the ongoing 2026 Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections. The couple arrived at their designated polling station amidst heavy security to cast their votes.
Speaking to the media after voting, Balan addressed several key issues regarding the city’s development and the political atmosphere.
Focus on Infrastructure and Administration
When asked about his expectations from the new body, Balan highlighted the urgent need to speed up Pune’s infrastructure projects. “The city is currently undergoing significant infrastructure upgrades. For several years, there were no elected corporators, and the city was run by the administration. My expectation is that once the new corporators are elected, the pending works regarding traffic, drainage lines, and general upgrades will be fast-tracked,” Balan stated.
“Active Behind the Scenes”
Reporters questioned Balan about his perceived low visibility during the corporation election campaign compared to his active presence during the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. Clarifying his stance, Balan said, “It’s not that I am inactive; a lot of work happens behind the scenes. Furthermore, on a personal note, we have been blessed with a baby boy, and I have been prioritizing spending quality time at home with him.”
Appeal to Voters
Noting the trend of lower voter turnout in municipal elections, Balan appealed to Punekars to step out. “This is a festival of democracy. I urge all citizens who haven’t voted yet to go and exercise their right,” he said.
Faith in Educated Voters
When pressed about the intense political rivalry between the NCP and BJP, and the issue of candidates switching parties, Balan maintained a neutral stance, emphasizing that he does not belong to any political party. However, he expressed confidence in the electorate.
“The voters of Pune are smart. Educated Punekars do not fall prey to lures or incentives. They know exactly what they want and will elect the candidates they prefer. The results will be clear tomorrow,” Balan concluded.
The polling is currently underway, with results scheduled to be announced on the 16th.
