Rallies, roadshows, press conferences, and heated exchanges dominated the closing hours of campaigning, highlighting the high stakes in both civic bodies ahead elections on January 15
CM Fadnavis addressing the crowds during a poll campaign. Pic/Special Arrangement
Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad witnessed an intense political showdown on Tuesday as leaders of major parties crisscrossed the cities on the final day of campaigning ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections on January 15, 2026.
Rallies, roadshows, press conferences, and heated exchanges dominated the closing hours of campaigning, highlighting the high stakes in both civic bodies ahead of elections on January 15.
Fadnavis launches attack on NCP
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, addressing a rally in Pune for the BJP, criticised the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its ally NCP (SP) for making “impractical promises” and fielding candidates with alleged criminal records.
“This election is meant to change the lives of citizens. The PMC election is not meant to create goons at the local level, but to create future leadership for the city,”
Fadnavis said. He also described opposition promises, including free Metro and PMPML bus travel, as unrealistic and lacking financial clarity.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis during a poll campaign. Pic/Special Arrangement
Highlighting the BJP’s development agenda, Fadnavis pointed to projects such as a 110-km Metro network, 33 new flyovers, widening of 32 major roads, railway underpass expansion, and underground roads to reduce traffic congestion. He claimed Rs 35,000 crore worth of works have been executed over the last five years, with projects worth Rs 44,000 crore planned.
Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol and State Minister Chandrakant Patil also criticised the opposition manifesto during the final campaign day.
Raj Thackeray flags risk of monopoly
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray clarified that he is not against business but warned of the dangers of corporate monopolies. Speaking in Pune, he accused the Adani Group of growing rapidly due to the central government’s “red carpet” policy, contrasting their rise with industrial houses like the Ambanis, Tatas, and Birlas, who built empires over decades.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray. File Pic
Raj Thackeray said control over key infrastructure such as airports, ports, power, and cement by a single corporate group could make India economically vulnerable. Citing recent aviation disruptions, he highlighted the risks of dependence on one company in critical sectors.
Fierce contest in Pimpri-Chinchwad
In Pimpri-Chinchwad, campaigning for the PCMC polls concluded amid sharp competition, particularly between the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, who are rivals at the civic level despite being state allies.
The PCMC elections are seen as a prestige battle. The NCP, which ruled for over 20 years, lost control in 2017 when the BJP won 78 of 128 seats, reducing the NCP to 36 corporators. While the NCP aims to regain lost ground, the BJP hopes to retain its dominant position.
NCP chief Ajit Pawar during a poll campaign. Pic/Special Arrangement
Ajit Pawar campaigned aggressively across Pimpri-Chinchwad, addressing rallies and press conferences, while BJP leaders, including Fadnavis, Ravindra Chavan, and Pankaja Munde, campaigned extensively. Much of the campaign focused on the rivalry between Ajit Pawar and Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge, which intensified in key wards.
The polling day
With campaigning now concluded under strict enforcement of the model code of conduct, voters in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are set to decide the political future of their civic bodies on January 15.
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