Delimitation to be carried out in Pune again
Pune: There is an atmosphere of bonhomie within the Maha Yuti after its huge success in the State Assembly elections. The three partners, the BJP, the NCP (AP) and the Shiv Sena, are in favour of conducting the stalled civic elections soon.
All eyes are now set on the civic elections. Going by the conducive atmosphere for the Maha Yuti, the polls can be conducted within some months. The civic administration has the huge responsibility of planning and preparing for the elections.
The civic and other local body elections have been delayed by over 2.5 years. The term of corporators in the Pune Municipal Corporation ended in March 2022. Since then, the Municipal Commissioner has been governing the civic body as the state-appointed Administrator.
Daily work at the PMC is being done at the whim and fancy of civic officials. They do not bother about people’s representatives. Such complaints have been lodged by local leaders from all parties. The ruling combine is inclined to hold the civic elections as early as possible and before voters could change their mood.
The OBC reservation issue needs to be sorted out in the court before holding the elections. As many as 30 petitions have been filed by various institutions, organisations and individuals regarding the OBC quota in local bodies. The polls cannot be conducted till the court announces its ruling on the matter. The same alliance is ruling at the Centre and in the State. Therefore, if both governments assure the court to take necessary steps, the path for the polls could be cleared. Thus, polls can be held within the next six months.
When Devendra Fadnavis was the CM, his administration decided to hold civic elections in 2017. The decision benefited the BJP across the State. Later, the MVA government changed the structure of the civic election. The process to conduct the elections was completed. Even after the government change, the three-member panel system was retained. But the total number of corporators, which was increased by the MVA government, was reduced. Thus, petitions were filed against the decision in the court, which are still pending. Meanwhile, the State Government changed the system to a four-member panel.
If the government decides to hold the civic elections, six months will be needed. Fursungi and Uruli Devachi villages have been separated from the Pune Municipal Corporation. A new civic body will be formed for them. Therefore, the civic administration will have to prepare a report about the ward structure, the population in the two villages and their limits.
