Pune: Chandrakant Patil Defends BJP’s Pune Development Record, Criticizes Opposition’s 60-Year Governance
Pune, 7th January 2026: Ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, Maharashtra’s Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil addressed a large public gathering in Kothrud’s Ward 31, underscoring the BJP’s developmental achievements and urging citizens to back the party’s candidates.
Patil challenged opposition parties over claims of the BJP’s alleged lack of development, stating, “Since Maharashtra and the Pune Municipal Corporation were established, opposition parties have held power for the majority of the past 60 years. They should answer for the city’s condition during their tenure.” He questioned critics to present a full 60-year record of governance.
The public meeting, or chauck sabha, saw the presence of BJP Middle Division President Kuldeep Savlekar, Ward 31 candidates Pruthviraj Sutar, Jyotsna Kulkarni, Vasanti Jadhav, Dinesh Mathwad, and a large number of party supporters.
Patil highlighted that the BJP governed the PMC only between 2017 and 2021, while opposition parties controlled the city for the remainder of the period. He specifically criticized past administrative decisions, such as the demolition of the foot-overbridge at Vidyapeeth Chowk, questioning whether such actions reflected effective urban planning.
Emphasizing the BJP’s development initiatives, Patil stated, “During our five-year tenure in the PMC, we executed multiple major projects: metro development, equitable water supply, enhanced public transport with additional buses, river improvement initiatives, and construction of flyovers at key junctions to ease traffic congestion.”
He also highlighted local improvements in Kothrud, including better connectivity through bus services linking residential areas to metro stations, which have enhanced accessibility for residents.
Concluding his address, Patil reiterated the BJP’s commitment to development and urged Pune residents to vote for continuity and progress, emphasizing that the party’s governance has delivered tangible benefits for citizens.
