As early results of Pune Municipal Elections pour in, it is almost certain that the saffron flag will flutter over the city. While the BJP has established a clear lead with 32 seats, Ajit Pawar’s NCP is behind the BJP, though both factions of NCP fought the battle together.
Pune Election Results: Even Before Counting Begins, Banner Projects BJP's Ganesh Bidkar As Pune’s Next Mayor pic.twitter.com/b450RjTNo3
— Pune First (@Pune_First) January 16, 2026
However, raising eyebrows is the banners that cropped up, declaring BJP leader Ganesh Bidkar as the Mayor. The banners put up by his supporters read: "Now every goal should be achieved, every step should be taken for the people, Mayor Saheb... Hearty congratulations to Hon. Ganeshbhau Bidkar on his resounding victory as a corporator of the Pune Municipal Corporation".
BJP fielded Bidkar from ward number 24 against Shiv Sena Shinde faction candidate Pranav Dhangekar, son of former MLA Ravindra Dhangekar. Union Minister Muralidhar Mohol and Kothrud MLA Chandrakant Patil were also present to file Bidkar's nomination, which hints that reputation of both these big leaders is at stake here.
The fight in the 2017 municipal elections was also between Bidkar and Dhangekar. At that time, Dhangekar had entered the fray with the support of the Congress party. Bidkar had to suffer defeat in this election.
Ganesh Bidkar was the former chairman of the standing committee and was also appointed as the Pune Municipal Corporation election chief. Bidkar was also the BJP's house leader in the municipal corporation in 2017.
