BJP Wins Pune Municipal Elections; Kharadi-Chandan Nagar Ward 4 Sees Close Contest
The Pune Municipal Corporation elections, held on January 15, 2026, have concluded with the BJP securing a majority across the city. In Ward 4 — covering Kharadi, Chandan Nagar, and Vadgaon Sheri — the contest was among the closest in the city, with BJP and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) candidates separated by a narrow margin.
A Campaign Fought on Local Issues
Unlike many wards where party allegiance drove voting patterns, Ward 4 saw an unusually issue-driven campaign. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who campaigned actively for NCP candidates in the area, highlighted the pressing civic problems facing residents:
- Water scarcity: Despite being part of PMC limits, many Kharadi societies still depend on private tankers for daily water supply
- Traffic congestion: The Kharadi-Mundhwa road and Chandan Nagar stretches experience severe gridlock during peak hours
- Poor road conditions: Several internal roads in Chandan Nagar and Vadgaon Sheri remain unpaved or riddled with potholes
- Garbage management: Irregular waste collection has been a persistent complaint across the ward
NCP's Grassroots Campaign
The NCP fielded a strong slate of candidates in Ward 4, including Nanasaheb Abanave, Vasundhara Ubale, Darshana Pathare, and Sameer Bhadale, who ran active door-to-door campaigns in their respective divisions. Their campaign focused on the gap between Kharadi's rapid commercial development and its lagging civic infrastructure.
"People here work in world-class IT parks but come home to water tankers and broken roads," was a recurring theme at NCP rallies in the ward.
What BJP's Victory Means for Kharadi
With BJP now controlling the PMC, residents are watching closely to see whether the new administration will prioritise the eastern corridor's infrastructure needs. Key expectations include:
- Resolution of the water supply network expansion to newer residential colonies
- Fast-tracking the proposed Kharadi-Mundhwa flyover
- Improved waste management with door-to-door collection
- Better street lighting, particularly around IT parks and residential areas
The newly elected corporators from Ward 4 will face immediate pressure to deliver on these promises. With the metro construction also set to begin in the area, the next five years will be critical for shaping Kharadi's civic future.