Notorious Criminals Entering Pune Civic Elections Raises Serious Concerns

The upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation elections feature candidates with criminal backgrounds, including relatives of notorious gang leaders. The Nationalist Congress Party has nominated these individuals, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

Individuals with criminal backgrounds or alleged connections to gangs are participating in the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation elections. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, has nominated Sonali Andekar and Laxmi Andekar, relatives of gang leader Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar. All three are accused in the murder of Bandu Andekar's grandson, Ayush Komkar, and are currently in jail.

Bandu Andekar, along with his relatives, recently submitted their nomination papers. They were escorted by police from Yerawada Central Jail to the nomination centres in Bhavani Peth. Bandu Andekar is contesting as an independent candidate. The NCP also nominated Jayashree Marne, wife of gangster Gajanan alias Gajya Marne, and Bapu Nayar, a local goon.

NCP's Political Strategy

NCP's city unit president, Subhash Jagtap, stated that the party has formed an alliance with the Republican Party of India (RPI), led by Sachin Kharat. Through this alliance, Sonali and Laxmi Andekar have been nominated from ward number 23. Despite this alliance, both candidates will contest using the NCP's symbol, the clock.

Jagtap justified their nominations by highlighting the Andekar family's political history. Vatsala Andekar was a former mayor of Pune. Udaykant Andekar, Bandu's late brother, served as a corporator. Vanraj Andekar, Bandu's son who was killed by Ganesh Komkar, was also an NCP corporator.

Criminal Allegations

Jayashree Marne previously contested civic polls. Her husband, Gajanan Marne, faces multiple charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Bapu Nayar is accused of crimes like attempted murder and land grabbing. These nominations have raised eyebrows due to their criminal associations.

The NCP has also allied with Sharad Pawar's NCP SP for these elections. According to Jagtap, the NCP will contest 125 seats while the NCP SP will compete for 40 seats. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen their position in the municipal elections.

The involvement of candidates with criminal links has sparked discussions about political ethics and accountability. The focus remains on how these developments will influence voter sentiment in the upcoming elections.

With inputs from PTI