Pimpri: a reserved constituency in the Pune district, has become a focal point for the rivalry between two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This high-stakes battle pits the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, aligned with the Mahayuti alliance, against the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, which is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition.
Ajit Pawar’s faction has re-nominated sitting MLA Anna Bansode, who is vying for a fourth term. Bansode, known for his local projects, previously won the Pimpri seat in 2019 after narrowly losing to a Shiv Sena candidate in 2014. His tenure has been marked by the expansion of metro infrastructure and road development along the Mumbai-Pune corridor, projects he sees as vital for local growth.
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Opposing Bansode is Sulakshna Shilwant from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, who brings experience as a former corporator. Shilwant, popular in areas such as Vallabh Nagar and Kasarwadi, promises to address safety issues and improve healthcare facilities, advocating for a dedicated cancer hospital and enhancements to the ESI Hospital. She has also vowed to tackle local unemployment by supporting youth entrepreneurship and is focusing on initiatives to improve slum conditions.
Both candidates are addressing longstanding concerns within Pimpri. Bansode emphasizes his achievements in slum rehabilitation, metro approvals, and utility projects. In contrast, Shilwant is pledging stricter crime control, increased police resources, and regulation of private healthcare costs, particularly for economically weaker residents.
This split within the NCP, driven by ideological differences, has created intense competition as each faction seeks to secure support from Pimpri’s 387,868 voters. The results, to be announced on November 23, are expected to be a significant indicator of public sentiment within Maharashtra, especially as the state witnesses a broader “Pawar vs. Pawar” narrative.
