Pune Municipal Corporation Election Results 2026: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Sonali Andekar, who is currently lodged in jail, has won the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) election from Ward No. 23 (Ravivar Peth–Nana Peth). Andekar defeated Pratibha Dhangekar, the wife of Shiv Sena leader Ravindra Dhangekar. Her victory has drawn wide attention, especially after NCP leader Ajit Pawar faced criticism for giving a ticket to a member of what critics described as a “criminal family.”
There was intense speculation ahead of the polls on whether Sonali Andekar would be able to secure a win while in judicial custody. The results, however, showed strong local support in her favour. Along with Sonali Andekar, Laxmi Andekar also won from the same ward.
Ravindra Dhangekar had recently joined the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and fielded his wife and son in the elections. While Pranav Dhangekar contested from Ward No. 24, Pratibha Dhangekar was in the fray from Ward No. 23.
The contest in Ward No. 23 saw multiple candidates, including Sonali Andekar (NCP), Vijaya Kadre (Aam Aadmi Party), Anuradha Manche (BJP) and Nikita Martkar (Shiv Sena, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction). The main contest, however, remained between the Andekar and Dhangekar camps.