Pune PMC Reservation 2025: Big Blow to Senior Leaders as Ward Draw Changes Political Map

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 11th November 2025: The reservation draw for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections has reshuffled the city’s political landscape, dealing a major blow to several veteran leaders while offering an advantage to others. The lottery, held on Tuesday, has forced some former corporators and political heavyweights to contest from open categories, while a few are reportedly considering fielding their family members instead.

The draw, conducted under the supervision of Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram and in line with State Election Commission guidelines, allocated reserved seats for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and women across 41 wards in the PMC limits. Of the total 165 seats, 83 have been reserved for women, including 22 for SCs, 2 for STs, 44 for OBCs, and 49 for women in the open category.

As a result, several former corporators now find themselves in a difficult position. Senior leaders including former House Leader Shrinath Bhimale, former corporators Avinash Bagwe, Sunny Nimbalkar, Yuvraj Beldare, Prakash Dhore, and Prakash Kadam will now have to contest from open categories. Similarly, former Deputy Mayor Dr. Siddharth Dhende, Sunita Wadekar, Saraswati Shendge, Aba Bagul, Pravin Chorbele, and Manisha Ladkat are expected to face new electoral challenges.

Meanwhile, Pallavi Jawale and Rahul Bhandare, who were expecting reserved wards, may have to contest from general seats or support other candidates from their respective parties.

In Deccan Gymkhana–Happy Colony (Ward No. 29), which has one OBC seat, two open women’s seats, and one general seat, the BJP appears to be in a strong position. Former corporator Deepak Pote is likely to be fielded here, while senior BJP leaders Madhuri Sahastrabuddhe, Manjushree Kharadekar, and Jayant Bhave have received favourable constituencies.

In Ramtekdi–Malwadi–Vaiduwadi, the reservation includes SC, OBC women, open women, and open seats — setting the stage for a multi-cornered contest among Sachin Dodke, Baba Dhumal, Dilip Barate, and Sayali Wanjale.

Bavdhan–Bhusari Colony (Ward No. 10) has OBC and two open women’s seats, where BJP leaders Kiran Dagade Patil and Dilip Vede Patil are likely contenders.

In Kothrud–Mayur Colony, a stronghold of former Mayor and MP Murlidhar Mohol, a tough contest is expected among aspirants Nilesh Kondhalkar, Dushyant Mohol, Shyam Deshpande, Prithviraj Sutar, Yogesh Mokate, and Hemant Sambhus.

In Shaniwar Peth–Mandai area, former MP Girish Bapat’s daughter-in-law Swarada Bapat and former Mayor Mukta Tilak’s son Kunal Tilak are expected to get an opportunity to contest.

Favourable Wards for City Party Chiefs

BJP city president Dhiraj Ghate has received a favourable ward in Navi Peth–Parvati. Congress city president Arvind Shinde benefits from an open seat in the Raviwar Peth–Nana Peth area. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) city president Prashant Jagtap, who was previously elected along with his mother Ratnaprabha Jagtap from Wanwadi–Salunke Vihar, has once again received
a favourable ward.

No Dhangekar–Bidkar Face-off This Time

The much-anticipated Kasba Peth contest between Congress leader Ravindra Dhangekar and BJP’s Ganesh Bidkar will not take place this year. According to the new reservation pattern (Ward No. 24 – two general, one OBC woman, and one open woman seat), Dhangekar’s ward has changed, and there is speculation that his son may be fielded instead. There is also talk that his wife may contest from the neighbouring Raviwar Peth–Nana Peth ward (No. 23), reserved for OBC women.

Vasant More and Son May Both Contest

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Vasant More is likely to contest from Ward No. 38(E), while his son may enter the fray from Ward No. 40(D). With five seats in this large constituency, a close contest is expected among Vasant More, Vishal Tambe, Datta Dhanwade, and Prashant Kadam.

Will the Pathare Family Maintain Its Stronghold in Kharadi–Wagholi?

All eyes are on the Wadgaonsheri MLA Bapusaheb Pathare’s bastion, where candidate selection in the newly expanded Kharadi–Wagholi ward has triggered intense discussions within political circles.

Three Deputy Mayors, Two Mayors, and Six MLAs Out of the Race

Due to reservation changes, former Deputy Mayors Dr. Siddharth Dhende, Saraswati Shendge, and Sunita Wadekar have lost their previously reserved wards, making them ineligible this time. While their family members might contest, they themselves will not be part of the new civic body. Former Mayors Mukta Tilak (late) and Murlidhar Mohol (now MP and Union Minister) will also not be contesting.

MLAs Siddharth Shirole, Sunil Kamble, Chetan Tupe, Sunil Tingre, and Hemant Rasane, who were corporators in 2017, will also stay out of the municipal polls. Ravindra Dhangekar, having contested both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections recently, is unlikely to contest in the upcoming civic polls either.