Pune’s next mayor a woman; Pimpri-Chinchwad post reserved for open category

The draw for reservation of mayoral posts is conducted as part of the rotational system followed in local self-government bodies, under which different social categories get representation over time. While the post in Pune has been reserved for women from the general category, women belonging to other categories will also be eligible to contest. However, in the case of reserved categories, candidates must belong to the same category for which the post is earmarked.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enjoying a clear majority in the civic body, discussions have begun within the party over the likely candidate for Pune mayor. Several senior women leaders are in the race, including BJP women’s wing vice-president Varsha Tapkir, Manjusha Nagpure, who was elected unopposed, Ranjana Tilekar, mother of MLA Yogesh Tilekar, Manasi Deshpande, and Swarda Bapat, daughter-in-law of late Girish Bapat. Party sources, however, indicated that given its comfortable majority, the BJP could take a surprise call while finalising the candidate.

BJP leader Murlidhar Mohol said the party would take a collective decision. “Now that the reservation has been announced, the party will discuss the matter with senior leaders and take an appropriate decision,” he said.