Pune Mayor’s post: All eyes on Ajit Pawar

All eyes are now set on the deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, who would be deciding who would be the first citizen of Pune for the next five years. With eight corporators from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in fray, Pawar’s choice would be a difficult one to make.

Although, Pawar was to make the announcement on Thursday, he deferred taking the decision.

The seat for the post of the mayor has been reserved for an OBC lady corporator. With the NCP emerging as the single largest party, the post of the mayor would go to them. Eight corporators, including a rebel NCP candidate, have filed their nomination for the post.

Usha Kalamkar, Nanda Lonkar Vaishali Bankar, Sangita Kudale, Chanchala Kondre, Mohini Deokar and Rajashree Andhekar, have filed their applications. Interestingly, Ashwini Kadam, the rebel candidate who had contested the elections, is also in the reckoning for the post.

While speaking to the media, Pawar stated that the official candidate would be asked to file the nomination on Friday itself, which is the last official date.

Also, 15 corporators have been identified as the official candidates from the party for the posts of the standing committee and city improvement committee chairmen.