Pune district bereft of strong guardian minister, no replacement in sight

Pune: The sudden death of NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Wednesday has left a vacuum in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwads political leadership. It will be a challenge for the administration and parties to maintain the pace of development projects with no immediate replacement for the guardian minister in sight.

Ajit Pawar executed many projects while holding the post. Additionally, he was the main challenger to BJPs increased dominance in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

Pawar had held the post of Pune district guardian minister for the last several years. His first stint lasted for almost a decade from 2004 to 2014. He again took charge in 2019 up to 2022 and then 2023 to Jan 28, 2026. He stood tall even when BJP was in complete majority in PMC and PCMC from 2019 to 2022.

Sources said Pawars presence in the critical post was considered an attempt to keep checks on decision-making and on BJP.

Pawar used to hold follow-up meetings regularly with civic officials and district authorities. He would chair all vital meets, including DPDC, infrastructure development and water supply. It was only in his presence that significant decisions pertaining to the city used to be finalised. This was despite BJP having more elected representatives and cabinet ministers than NCP or any other party. In the recent civic body polls, BJP retained both PMC and PCMC with a clear majority, but Pawar was still the guardian minister to supervise functioning of the civic bodies.

Sources said that BJP may have a slight upper hand now, but the party lacked visionary guidance at the local level that could match Ajit Pawars power.

A former MLA of the city said, There is no leader in Pune who can work as effectively as Ajit Dada. BJP is heavily dependent on CM Devendra Fadnavis when it comes to taking important decisions. Even during recent civic polls, it was Fadnavis who led BJPs campaign. He held rallies in many areas of the city. The party ended its public campaign with the CMs rally in the Gokhalenagar area. It was a clear indication that the BJP lacked strong city-level command.

A political observer from the city said that in the last three decades, two leaders have dominated the citys overall development —Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi and NCPs Ajit Pawar. With them not being there, Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad need a competent guide who has a clear vision for development over the next three decades.

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