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Home / Author / Abhay Khairnar

Abhay Khairnar

Abhay Khairnar

Articles by Abhay Khairnar

Zilla Parishad polls to be held without Ajit Pawar

Zilla Parishad polls to be held without Ajit Pawar

Updated on Jan 29, 2026 24:04 IST

By his own admission, work was Ajit Pawar’s hobby

Pune, India - Jan. 13, 2026: Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar poses for HT at his residence in Pune, India, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/Hindustan Times) (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 28, 2026 23:54 IST

Senior leaders, former corporators face shock defeats

Former mayor Dattatray Dhankawade also lost his seat. Dhankawade (in pic) was considered to have a strong grip over Dhankawadi and Balajinagar areas, having held key positions in PMC. (HT)

Updated on Jan 17, 2026 01:38 IST

Congress improves tally in Pune civic polls from 2017

Congress delivered an improved performance in the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, increasing its seat tally to 15 from nine in the 2017 polls. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Updated on Jan 17, 2026 01:36 IST

BJP to go solo in zilla parishad polls

The decision was taken during a meeting of BJP office-bearers, attended by MP Murlidhar Mohol. (HT)

Updated on Jan 17, 2026 01:14 IST

BJP’s solo strategy pays off in Pune civic polls

With no agreement in sight, the BJP decided to field candidates in all 165 wards and go solo. (FILE)

Updated on Jan 17, 2026 01:08 IST

Turnout soars past half-way mark in Pune, so does hope for victory

The turnout was also lower than the 61.04 per cent registered in Pune district during the 2024 Assembly elections. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/ HT)

Updated on Jan 16, 2026 01:36 IST

Criminalisation of politics, free bus and metro service, schemes for women and property tax waiver for small homes are the key issues for Municipal campaign

Political observers said that the BJP and NCP dominated the campaign through aggressive ward-level outreach and sharp issue-based messaging, leaving the Congress and both Sena factions trailing due to lack of coordination, unclear leadership signals, and weak momentum on the ground. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/ HT)

Updated on Jan 14, 2026 24:12 IST

BJP releases civic poll manifesto for Pune, promises tax waivers, big-ticket infrastructure projects

Questions were also raised over the feasibility of implementing mega infrastructure projects worth over <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>76,000 crore, given that PMC’s annual budget is around <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>10,000 crore. (HT)

Updated on Jan 7, 2026 23:28 IST

NCP launches ‘Alarm’ campaign for PMC, PCMC; targets BJP local leadership over civic failures

In recent weeks, Pawar has alleged corruption and mismanagement on the part of BJP-led civic administrations; drawing sharp reactions from the BJP senior leadership. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/ HT)

Updated on Jan 7, 2026 23:24 IST

Former Pune MP Suresh Kalmadi passes away

Former Pune Member of Parliament, Union minister of state for railways, and veteran sports administrator Suresh Kalmadi passed away early Tuesday after a prolonged illness. (HT FILE)

Updated on Jan 7, 2026 03:02 IST

Congress loses ground in Pune after sidelining former MP

New Delhi, India- February 18, 2014 : Suresh Kalmadi is Loksabha MP of Maharashtra after attending parliament session in New Delhi, India on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. ( Photo By Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times)

Updated on Jan 6, 2026 22:09 IST

Kalmadi put Pune on the international map through marathon, cultural and film festivals

New Delhi, India - July 09, 2014: Suresh Kalmadi leader from Pune and Member of Parliament from Pune leave from Parliament House today, after attending the Economic Survey presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for the year 2013-14, in New Delhi, India on Wednesday, July 09, 2014. India's growth could accelerate in the current year to nearly six percent under a best-case scenario, a report card on the economy released by the new right-wing government forecast Wednesday. (Photo by Sonu Mehta/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

Updated on Jan 6, 2026 22:04 IST

Those questioning Pune’s development should ‘look into mirror’: Fadnavis takes jibe at Ajit Pawar

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed a public rally in Katraj on Modnay. (HT PHOTO)

Updated on Jan 5, 2026 22:00 IST

Race intensifies on PMC nomination deadline day; BJP family tickets, NCP (SP) forms, rebels switch sides amid 2,298 filings

By contrast, the BJP denied tickets to other established leaders’ relatives, notably cutting the candidature of relatives of minister of state and MP Murlidhar Mohol in Kothrud. (HT)

Updated on Dec 31, 2025 24:38 IST

Sharad Pawar will stay away from civic polls: Rohit Pawar

Sharad Pawar has empowered party workers and local leaders to make decisions for civic elections, Rohit Pawar said. (FILE)

Updated on Dec 29, 2025 21:44 IST

As talks with NCP collapse, Sharad Pawar’s party returns to MVA table for Pune civic polls

Talks stalled after Ajit Pawar’s faction insisted that NCP (SP) candidates contest on the ‘clock’ symbol instead of their own ‘trumpet’ symbol — a demand rejected by Sharad Pawar’s camp. (HT)

Updated on Dec 27, 2025 22:54 IST

Congress asks Pune unit to contest civic polls independently amid alliance uncertainty

Congress state chief Harshavardhan Sapkal said that the party is closely tracking political developments in Pune, where alliance signals remain mixed. (HT)

Updated on Dec 25, 2025 22:22 IST

More leaders join BJP ahead of civic polls; Sena (UBT) left with no former corporators in Pune

More leaders join BJP ahead of civic polls; Sena (UBT) left with no former corporators in Pune

Updated on Dec 23, 2025 23:44 IST

As civic polls near, candidates bet big on social media reach

Political workers ensure that even brief visits, meetings, or neighborhood interactions are photographed or filmed and uploaded promptly to their social media handles. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Updated on Dec 22, 2025 22:10 IST

Congress-NCP explore alliance in Pune for civic polls

Patil later confirmed that the communication has been initiated within his party though he refrained from sharing details, saying discussions were at a preliminary stage. (HT)

Updated on Dec 22, 2025 21:54 IST

Assembly polls candidates, hopefuls contest civic elections to stay in political race

With PMC elections approaching, several leaders who contested or aspired to contest recent assembly polls are recalibrating their political strategies, with many switching parties to stay electorally relevant. (HT)

Updated on Dec 21, 2025 01:30 IST

Straight fight expected between Maha Yuti, MVA in Pune and PCMC

Straight fight expected between Maha Yuti, MVA in Pune and PCMC

Updated on Dec 17, 2025 24:02 IST

PMC unlikely to achieve 100% sewage treatment before 2029

Despite having the highest number of STPs in Maharashtra, PMC will not be able to treat all sewage generated in the city before 2029, said officials. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/HT)

Updated on Nov 29, 2025 22:26 IST

Mahayuti leaders dominate municipal council campaign; opposition absent on ground

Fadnavis has been addressing two to three rallies a day in addition to holding closed-door meetings with local leaders. (X)

Updated on Nov 27, 2025 02:48 IST

Aspirants launch women centric schemes to reap ‘Ladki Bahin’ benefits

In the Parvati assembly area, prospective candidates have launched activities such as water park trips, scooter-riding lessons, helicopter rides and karate training exclusively for women. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/ HT)

Updated on Nov 25, 2025 22:44 IST

Two factions, one front: NCP redraws its lines for local body polls

Two factions, one front: NCP redraws its lines for local body polls

Updated on Nov 19, 2025 23:10 IST

Why Maharashtra’s land registration system is under fire

Decisions taken at registration desk without verification of land classification, eligibility for exemptions have triggered criminal cases and intensified scrutiny on how the office functions. (Getty Images/iStockphoto (PIC FOR REPRESENTATION))

Updated on Nov 16, 2025 24:54 IST

NCP factions unite in Kolhapur, set the tone for local polls

This marks the first tie-up among the parties in their first time contesting separately in local polls since the split. (Representative pic)

Updated on Nov 10, 2025 23:12 IST

Mohol to oversee BJP’s poll strategy, Bidkar poll chief for party in PMC area

Alongside Mohol, the party has appointed former Pune mayor Ganesh Bidkar as election chief for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). (HT)

Updated on Nov 5, 2025 23:12 IST

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