Manjusha Nagpure Elected Pune Mayor, Parshuram Wadekar Becomes Deputy Mayor Unopposed

Manjusha Nagpure elected Pune Mayor and Parshuram Wadekar Deputy Mayor unopposed after Congress and NCP withdraw nominations. Full details here.

Pune | 09 February 2026 – In a significant development for Pune’s civic administration, Manjusha Nagpure of the BJP has been elected Mayor of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), while Parshuram Wadekar of the BJP–Republican Party (Athawale faction) has assumed the role of Deputy Mayor, both unopposed. The elections were scheduled at the PMC main hall at 11:15 am and presided over by Officer Jitendra Dudi. Initially, candidates for the mayoral post included Nagpure from the BJP, Ashwini Landge from Congress, and Sheetal Sawant from the NCP. During the withdrawal period, Sawant withdrew first, followed by Landge, leaving Nagpure as the sole candidate and leading to her unopposed election. Similarly, for the Deputy Mayor position, Wadekar faced Congress candidate Sahil Kedari and NCP’s Datta Bahirat. Both opponents withdrew, resulting in Wadekar’s uncontested appointment. Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol attended the ceremony and congratulated the newly elected leaders, emphasizing the importance of smooth governance transitions.

The unopposed elections reflect the BJP’s growing influence in Pune’s municipal politics and indicate strategic consensus-building with opposition parties, particularly during the state’s period of mourning after the passing of several prominent figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, social activist Dr Baba Adhav, Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi, and former Mayor Shantilal Suratwala. Political analysts have noted that such uncontested elections, while uncommon, often signal strategic alliances and respect for local sentiments. Dr. Anil Deshmukh, a political science professor at Pune University, remarked, “Unopposed elections, while rare, reflect strategic coordination and can bring stability to city governance. Nagpure’s leadership is expected to strengthen civic

initiatives and urban administration in Pune.”

Manjusha Nagpure brings a strong track record of women’s empowerment initiatives, green city projects, and digital governance programs. Her tenure is expected to prioritize smart city initiatives, improved municipal services, and infrastructure development. Parshuram Wadekar, with experience in the Republican Party (Athawale faction), has emphasized community engagement, grassroots development, and efficient civic administration. Together, the new leadership is expected to address pressing urban challenges, including traffic management, waste disposal, and public safety, while navigating Pune’s political landscape. Experts also highlight the relevance of these governance priorities in the context of broader national issues, such as transport modernization exemplified by Air India’s Mumbai-London flights, and urban safety, as highlighted by recent incidents like the Ahmedabad road accident.

As Pune continues to grow as a cultural and economic hub, the unopposed elections signal a pragmatic approach to governance that balances political strategy with public expectations. Analysts predict that the BJP-led administration will focus on inclusive urban development, sustainable infrastructure projects, and effective public engagement. With Manjusha Nagpure as Mayor and Parshuram Wadekar as Deputy Mayor, Pune anticipates stable leadership and proactive civic governance over the coming term, while opposition parties continue to collaborate in shaping municipal policies.

The election of Nagpure and Wadekar also serves as a model for municipal leadership transitions in India, showing how political cooperation and respect for local sentiments can result in smooth governance without electoral contention. As the city embarks on this new chapter, residents and stakeholders alike are watching closely to see how Pune addresses its civic challenges and developmental goals.

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