The Ajit Pawar–led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has appointed Nilesh Nikam as its party leader in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), a decision that effectively places him in the role of Leader of the Opposition in the civic body. The appointment was formally announced by NCP city unit president Sunil Tingre along with senior party leader Subhash Jagtap.
With this move, Nikam will lead the NCP’s group of councillors in the PMC, where the party has emerged as the second-largest political force after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking after taking charge, Nikam thanked the elected representatives for showing confidence in his leadership and said his previous experience in the municipal corporation would help him raise civic issues more effectively and hold the ruling party accountable.
Nikam is a familiar face in Pune’s civic politics. He has earlier served as the Leader of the House as well as the chairman of the Standing Committee in the PMC, giving him considerable administrative and policy experience. A practising advocate by profession, Nikam represents the Senapati Bapat Road and Gokhalenagar areas and has been actively involved in municipal governance for several years.
BJP holds clear majority in PMC after civic polls
The development comes in the backdrop of the recently concluded civic elections, which saw the BJP secure a clear majority in the 165-member Pune Municipal Corporation. The BJP won 119 seats, comfortably crossing the halfway mark. The NCP finished second with 27 corporators, followed by the Congress with 15 seats. The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) managed to win three seats, while the Shiv Sena failed to open its account and Shiv Sena (UBT) secured just one seat.
Meanwhile, the BJP has also initiated the process of appointing its Leader of the House in the PMC. Party sources said applications have been invited from all 119 BJP corporators. Names such as Ganesh Bidkar, Dheeraj Ghate and Bhimale are believed to be in contention. The shortlisted candidates’ names will be forwarded to the BJP’s state leadership in Mumbai, with the final decision expected to be announced by Wednesday afternoon.
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