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Pune Mayor Post Reserved for General Category Women: 8 BJP Corporators in the Race

Published: January 22, 2026 | Category: Real Estate Pune
Pune Mayor Post Reserved for General Category Women: 8 BJP Corporators in the Race

The Maharashtra government on Thursday announced the reservation for the post of Mayor in 29 municipal corporations across the state, setting the political scene abuzz as discussions over probable mayoral candidates gained momentum.

According to the official reservation list, the Mayor’s post in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been reserved for the General category (Women). With this, it is now clear that Pune will have a woman mayor from the general category.

Sources have also confirmed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which holds a strong position in the PMC, is likely to field a woman corporator for the top post. As a result, the long-standing aspirations of several senior male leaders to become Pune’s mayor will remain unfulfilled in this term.

With Pune reserved for a woman mayor, several BJP women corporators are being seen as strong contenders, including:

1. Ranjana Tilekar - Elected from Ward No. 40 (Kondhwa Budruk–Yewalewadi). Tilekar has defeated Rupesh More, son of Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) leader Vasant More.

2. Rohini Chimte - Elected from Ward No. 29 (Kharadi–Manjari Budruk). Chimte, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) from the Maval area, was recently inducted into the BJP.

3. Manjusha Nagpure - An experienced leader and former corporator with a strong public connection in the Sinhagad area. She was elected unopposed from the Manikbaug-Suncity ward.

4. Veena Ghosh - Elected from Ward No. 36 (Dhayari–Narhe).

5. Prachi Alhat - Elected from Ward No. 41 (Mohammadwadi–Kausarbagh). Alhat and her husband were booked in November 2025 by the Kalepadal police for allegedly cheating a doctor of ₹24.2 lakh under the pretext of securing a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) amenity space plot on a 30-year lease.

6. Mrunal Kamble - Elected from Ward No. 22 (Kashewadi–Dias Plot), defeated Indira Bagve, daughter-in-law of senior Congress leader Ramesh Bagve.

7. Varsha Tapkir - Elected from Dhankawadi Ward No. 37B (Katraj Dairy area).

8. Mansi Manoj Deshpande - Elected from Ward No. 20(C), Shankar Maharaj Math, Bibwewadi. Deshpande is the sister-in-law of Minister Madhuri Misal.

Reportedly, BJP sources said that it would prefer a loyalist to be the next mayor of Pune, following the trend of the past. In the previous term, Mukta Tilak and Murlidhar Mohol were appointed Pune mayors for two-and-a-half year terms, respectively. Moreover, the leadership will likely choose someone who can command the house and possesses deep knowledge of the city's urban challenges.

With the reservation picture now clear, political activity is expected to intensify across Maharashtra as parties move closer to finalising their mayoral candidates, especially in high-profile civic bodies like Pune.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the significance of reserving the Mayor's post for women in the General category?
Reserving the Mayor's post for women in the General category promotes gender equality and provides opportunities for women to take on leadership roles in municipal governance. It also ensures a diverse representation in local politics.
2. Which party is likely to field
candidate for the Mayor's post in Pune? A: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which holds a strong position in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), is likely to field a female corporator for the Mayor's post.
3. Who are some of the strong contenders for the Mayor's post from the BJP?
Some of the strong contenders include Ranjana Tilekar, Rohini Chimte, Manjusha Nagpure, Veena Ghosh, Prachi Alhat, Mrunal Kamble, Varsha Tapkir, and Mansi Manoj Deshpande.
4. How does the reservation for women impact the political landscape in Pune?
The reservation for women as Mayor in Pune will likely shift the political dynamics, giving a platform to female leaders and potentially reshaping the political alliances and strategies within the party and the corporation.
5. What are the criteri
for choosing the next Mayor of Pune according to BJP sources? A: According to BJP sources, the party will prefer a loyalist who can command the house and possesses deep knowledge of the city's urban challenges. Loyalty, leadership skills, and a strong understanding of local issues are key criteria.