Pune: NCP’s Anna Bansode Under Scrutiny in Pimpri as Voters Demand accountability

Pimpri, 8th November 2024: As the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections approach, Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) sitting MLA Anna Bansode faces scrutiny in the Pimpri constituency, where he is running against Dr. Sulakshana Shilwant-Dhar, the candidate from the Nationalist Congress Party – Sharad Pawar faction (NCP-SP). MLA Bansode, known for his close association with Ajit Pawar, stood by his side even during his swearing-in. However, ‘conscious’ voters in Pimpri constituency are raising questions about Bansode’s performance through prominently displayed boards across the area, which ask:

What have you done to strengthen MIDC?
What have you done to solve the traffic problem?
How many times have you raised issues in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly to address the problems of the people?
What have you done to reduce crime in the constituency?
What did you do for citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic?
What have you done to improve the water supply?
These questions have been displayed on main road hoardings across Pimpri, highlighting unresolved issues like frequent traffic jams, which have fuelled public dissatisfaction with local leadership. Anna Bansode, now contesting his fourth term, has recently faced discontent from within the Mahayuti coalition before his candidacy was announced.

Bansode’s political journey in the Pimpri constituency began with a win in 2009, followed by a defeat in 2014, and another victory in 2019. He now faces a strong challenge from Dr. Shilwant-Dhar, an educated candidate from the NCP-SP faction who could pose a significant threat to Bansode’s campaign.