Pune polls: High-voltage finale marks end of poll campaigns

Pune and PimpriChinchwad witnessed an intense political showdown on Tuesday as leaders of major parties crisscrossed the cities on the final day of campaigning ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections on January 15 2026Rallies roadshows press conferences and heated exchanges dominated the closing hours of campaigning highlighting the high stakes in both civic bodies ahead of elections on January 15Fadnavis launches attack on NCPMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressing a rally in Pune for the BJP criticised the Ajit Pawarled Nationalist Congress Party NCP and its ally NCP SP for making ldquoimpractical promisesrdquo and fielding candidates with alleged criminal recordsldquoThis election is meant to change the lives of citizens The PMC election is not meant to create goons at the local level but to create future leadership for the cityrdquoFadnavis said He also described opposition promises including free Metro and PMPML bus travel as unrealistic and lacking financial clarityMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis during a poll campaign PicSpecial ArrangementHighlighting the BJPrsquos development agenda Fadnavis pointed to projects such as a 110km Metro network 33 new flyovers widening of 32 major roads railway underpass expansion and underground roads to reduce traffic congestion He claimed Rs 35000 crore worth of works have been executed over the last five years with projects worth Rs 44000 crore plannedUnion Minister Murlidhar Mohol and State Minister Chandrakant Patil also criticised the opposition manifesto during the final campaign dayRaj Thackeray flags risk of monopolyMaharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS chief Raj Thackeray clarified that he is not against business but warned of the dangers of corporate monopolies Speaking in Pune he accused the Adani Group of growing rapidly due to the central governmentrsquos ldquored carpetrdquo policy contrasting their rise with industrial houses like the Ambanis Tatas and Birlas who built empires over decadesMNS chief Raj Thackeray File PicRaj Thackeray said control over key infrastructure such as airports ports power and cement by a single corporate group could make India economically vulnerable Citing recent aviation disruptions he highlighted the risks of dependence on one company in critical sectorsFierce contest in PimpriChinchwadIn PimpriChinchwad campaigning for the PCMC polls concluded amid sharp competition particularly between the BJP and the Ajit Pawarled NCP who are rivals at the civic level despite being state alliesThe PCMC elections are seen as a prestige battle The NCP which ruled for over 20 years lost control in 2017 when the BJP won 78 of 128 seats reducing the NCP to 36 corporators While the NCP aims to regain lost ground the BJP hopes to retain its dominant positionNCP chief Ajit Pawar during a poll campaign PicSpecial ArrangementAjit Pawar campaigned aggressively across PimpriChinchwad addressing rallies and press conferences while BJP leaders including Fadnavis Ravindra Chavan and Pankaja Munde campaigned extensively Much of the campaign focused on the rivalry between Ajit Pawar and Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge which intensified in key wardsThe polling dayWith campaigning now concluded under strict enforcement of the model code of conduct voters in Pune and PimpriChinchwad are set to decide the political future of their civic bodies on January 15Get all BMC Election 2026 updates here Your ward info belowRead more All about BMC ElectionRead more Know Your Ward