Attention now turns to long-awaited local elections

A senior IAS official suggested that elections could be held soon if there is political will.

“Although the trial is underway, preparations such as the electoral roll and ward structures are ready. If the government decides, elections could take place within two months. Prolonging the wait is unfair to candidates who have already waited for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections,” the bureaucrat said on condition of anonymity.

The state government recently sent a letter to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) seeking updates on its election preparations. The government also asked the PMC to remove Uruli Devachi and Phursungi voters from its jurisdiction list, signaling that preparations for the municipal elections are gaining momentum.

As political parties prepare for a possible showdown in early 2025, the long-awaited elections are expected to test their preparation and the Mahayuti’s grip on local governance.

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “With the Mahayuti alliance securing a thumping majority, the ruling parties are eager to hold local body elections soon as the Public opinion is currently in their favor. After the Lok Sabha elections, the Mahayuti delayed these elections due to the dominance of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the local bodies. However, with the support of the central government, the new state government is expected to resolve legal obstacles and announce elections soon.”

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Shirsat echoed the sentiment, saying, “The political atmosphere is favorable. There is a good chance that the municipal elections will take place between January and February 2025. It is an opportune moment and we are perfectly prepared.”

Ujwal Keskar, another BJP leader, stressed the urgency of holding these elections. “We are part of the ongoing lawsuit and have advocated for elections to be conducted according to previous ward structures. Delaying elections is undemocratic and it is high time to tackle this problem,” he said.

The opposition is wary of early elections

A leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) expressed concern over the preparedness of the opposition. “After the Lok Sabha elections, we had demanded local body elections. But in view of the results of the assembly, our executives are still recovering from the shock. It may take us some time to regroup and prepare,” he said.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said his party has already started preparations for the civic elections. “We will contest the upcoming municipal corporation and council elections as per the mandate received in the assembly elections. We are also confident of recording a big victory in these elections.