Ward 9 Pune News: Chandrakant Patil Leads BJP Candidates’ Padyatra in Mahalunge

Baner, 7th January 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received an enthusiastic response from residents during a padyatra organised in Mahalunge village as part of the campaign for Pune Municipal Corporation’s Ward No. 9.

The outreach programme was held in the presence of Maharashtra’s Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, who expressed confidence that the Mahalunge development plan would soon be approved unanimously.

The padyatra was organised to campaign for BJP candidates contesting from Ward No. 9 in the upcoming PMC elections. It began after seeking blessings at Bhairavnath Temple near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk and proceeded through key areas of the village. A large number of local residents participated, indicating strong public engagement ahead of the civic polls.

Addressing the gathering, Patil said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was firmly committed to the development plan for Mahalunge village and was closely monitoring the process to ensure its early approval. He said officials had been instructed to include citizens’ suggestions while finalising the plan so that comprehensive and balanced development of the village could be achieved.

Patil also highlighted the BJP’s track record in the Pune Municipal Corporation, stating that several major infrastructure projects were implemented between 2017 and 2021. He cited the Pune Metro, river rejuvenation projects and the equal water supply scheme as initiatives that had transformed the city’s urban landscape.

Speaking about party organisation, Patil said the BJP had to deny candidature to several aspirants during the current election process, including sitting corporators. However, he said party workers had accepted the decisions without protest and were actively campaigning for the party’s official candidates. He added that such discipline and commitment reflected the BJP’s character as a cadre-based organisation.

Responding to criticism from opposition parties, Patil said attempts were being made to create sympathy over denied candidatures and to target senior party leaders. He said the BJP functioned with national interest as its core principle and that its workers remained focused on strengthening the country. He expressed confidence that BJP candidate Lahu Balwadkar would secure a decisive victory from Ward No. 9.

BJP candidates from Ward No. 9 — Lahu Balwadkar, Ganesh Kalmkar, Rohini Chimte and Mayuri Kokate — were present during the padyatra, along with election in-charge Prakash Tatya Balwadkar and party leaders including Pralhad Saikar, Rahul Kokate, Jyoti Kalmkar, Swapnali Saikar, Sharad Bhote, Rakesh Padale, Vinayak Chive and Shantaram Padale. A large number of BJP office-bearers and party workers also took part in the campaign.

Party leaders said the strong public response to the padyatra reflected growing support for the BJP in Ward No. 9 as the Pune civic elections approach.