Ajit Pawar's Shocking Decision in Pune Election: Candidacy to a Gangster's Family
Pune Municipal Corporation Election 2026 : Under the leadership of Ajit Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party has made a controversial decision for the Pune Municipal Corporation election. The party has given candidacy to Sonali Andekar and Lakshmi Andekar, who are currently in prison in connection with the Ayush Komkar murder case. Both will contest the election from ward number 23 on the Nationalist Congress Party's symbol, and they will enter the election fray directly from prison.
These two are accused in the Ayush Komkar murder case and are in judicial custody. Previously, the Ajit Pawar faction had given a candidature to Jayshree Marne, wife of the notorious Pune gangster Gaja Marne. Now, with the ticket given to the women of the Andekar family, there is intense discussion in political circles. Questions are being raised on Ajit Pawar's stance, who promised to make Pune city crime-free.
Meanwhile, the special court had granted permission to Bandu Andekar's family members, Lakshmi Andekar and Sonali Andekar, to file election nominations with certain conditions. Accordingly, both filed their nomination papers on December 27. However, the court has explicitly prohibited Bandu Andekar from holding any processions, speeches, or slogans while filing the nomination. Additionally, Sonali and Lakshmi Andekar are also in jail in connection with an extortion case involving approximately 5 crore 40 lakh rupees. They will have to strictly adhere to the rules set by the court while campaigning for the election.
What exactly is the case?
The son of Ganesh Komkar, a relative of former corporator Vanraj Andekar, Ayush Komkar, was shot and killed. After this incident, the internal conflict within the Andekar group intensified. In this murder case, a total of 13 people, including Bandu alias Suryakant Andekar, have been charged with murder and under MCOCA.
Krishnaraj alias Krishna Andekar, the son of Bandu Andekar, who is one of the main accused in this case, had absconded after the incident. A few days ago, Bandu Andekar publicly stated, “Find my son, or he will be encountered.” Immediately after, the next day, Krishna Andekar appeared at the Samarth police station. Against this backdrop, the tickets given to candidates in jail have caused a major stir in Pune's politics.
In Brief
• The Nationalist Congress Party under Ajit Pawar has made a controversial decision for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections
• Sonali Andekar and Lakshmi Andekar, currently in prison in the Ayush Komkar murder case, have been given candidacy
• Both will contest the election from Ward No. 23 on the Nationalist Congress Party's symbol
• These two will enter the election fray directly from prison
• This decision by the Nationalist Congress Party is likely to increase political controversy in the Pune Municipal Corporation
• Discussions are intensifying among opponents and in local political circles