Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Pune Civic Polls: Seat Reservation Draw Sparks Lobbies and Potential Party Hopping
Imagine a big local government in Pune that needs to choose new leaders.
Before they can do that, they have to decide which seats will be for special groups, like women, people from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
This is like drawing names out of a hat to decide who gets to run in which neighborhood.
Politicians know this is important because it affects who can run where.
Some politicians who used to be leaders or want to be leaders are talking to different political parties, like the BJP, to see if they can get a spot.
But the parties are waiting to see where the special seats are before they promise anything.
This is all happening because the election is coming soon, and everyone wants to have the best chance to win a seat.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to hold a draw of lots on Tuesday to decide seat reservations for upcoming local body elections.
A total of 165 corporators will be elected for a five-year term in the PMC elections.
Political leaders and aspirants are lobbying ahead of the reservation announcement, with some considering switching parties.
Fifty percent of the seats (83 out of 165) will be reserved for women candidates.
Constitutional reservations include 22 seats for SC, 44 seats for OBC, and 2 seats for ST, with the 50% women's quota applied within these.
- Who
- Aspiring candidates, political parties (BJP, Congress), and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials
- What
- The PMC is conducting a draw of lots to determine seat reservations for upcoming civic body elections, leading to political maneuvering and potential party switching.
- When
- Ahead of the upcoming PMC elections, with the draw of lots scheduled for Tuesday and draft reservations to be published on November 17.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra
- Why
- To decide the reservation of seats for various categories (SC, ST, OBC, Women) in the PMC elections, influencing candidate strategies and political alliances.
Potential Switchers Seeking Assurances
Parties Cautious Before Reservation Announcement
Joining Other Parties
Potential Switchers Seeking Assurances
Some former corporators and aspirants are willing to join parties like the BJP, but are waiting for the declaration of seat reservations to finalize their strategies and secure candidatures.
Parties Cautious Before Reservation Announcement
Senior leaders, including those from the BJP, are holding back commitments to potential defectors until the actual seat reservation status is declared, indicating a strategic waiting game.
Congress to BJP Move
Potential Switchers Seeking Assurances
A five-time Congress corporator and his son are considering joining the BJP, but only if they receive assurances of candidature for the upcoming Pune civic polls.
Parties Cautious Before Reservation Announcement
The BJP is keeping potential new joiners on hold, unwilling to make firm commitments before the reservation of seats is officially announced.
- Corporation Name
- Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)
- Number of Corporators
- 165
- Term Length
- Five years
- Reservation Draw Date
- Tuesday
- Draft Reservation Publication
- November 17
- Public Objections Period
- Until November 24
- Women Reservation
- 50% of seats
- Scheduled Caste (SC) Reservation
- 22 seats
- Other Backward Classes (OBC) Reservation
- 44 seats
- Scheduled Tribes (ST) Reservation
- 2 seats
