PMC Elections 2026: BJP Shows Strength with Massive Bike Rally in Ward 25

Sadashiv Peth, 13th January 2026: BJP candidate Raghavendra “Bappu” Mankar on Tuesday expressed confidence of a major victory in Ward No. 25, comprising Shaniwar Peth and the Mahatma Phule Mandai area, citing the sustained efforts of party workers, extensive door-to-door campaigning, and a positive response from voters.

Mankar was speaking during a large bike rally organised on the final day of campaigning. He said that over the past ten days, BJP office-bearers and grassroots workers had worked intensively to reach out to voters in every part of the ward. “The response from citizens has been extremely encouraging. Because of the dedication and coordination shown by our workers, we are confident of securing one of the biggest victories in Pune city from Ward 25,” he said.

Highlighting the party’s organisational strength, Mankar said BJP’s structured network played a key role in the campaign’s reach. Under the guidance of MLA Hemant Rasane, mandal presidents, heads of various fronts, ward presidents, booth-level workers, and shakti kendra heads worked in close coordination to connect with residents and communicate the party’s agenda. He added that this collective effort had strengthened BJP’s position in the ward.

Ward No. 25 has four official BJP candidates in the fray — Raghavendra Bappu Mankar, Swarada Bapat, Kunal Tilak and Swapnali Pandit. The bike rally organised on the last day of campaigning was aimed at consolidating support and energising party workers ahead of polling.

The rally witnessed the presence of several senior party leaders and workers, including former corporators Dilip Kalokhe and Rajesh Yenpure, former corporator Gayatri Khadke, Uday Lele, mandal president Amit Kank, city secretary Manoj Khatri, mandal general secretary Nilesh Kadam, Kiran Jagdale, Santosh Fadtare, city office-bearer Pranav Ganjivale, women’s wing leaders Mohana Gadre, Rupali Kadam, Surekha Pashankar and Ujwala Pawatekar, ward president Sunil Rasal, Yuva Morcha leader Shreyas Lele, along with booth presidents, party workers and members of the Bappu Mankar Friends Group.

Party leaders said the enthusiastic turnout at the rally reflected strong grassroots support for the BJP candidates in the ward ahead of the civic polls.