EC announces polls for Pune and other local body MLC seats

Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) from local authorities’ constituencies are elected indirectly by elected representatives of municipal corporations, municipal councils and zilla parishads

The Election Commission on Monday announced elections to 17 Maharashtra Legislative Council seats, including the Pune Local Authorities’ constituency, which has remained vacant since 2022.

The Pune seat was earlier held by the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Party leader Anil Bhosale was elected unopposed, and his term ended in 2022. (FILE)

Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) from local authorities’ constituencies are elected indirectly by elected representatives of municipal corporations, municipal councils and zilla parishads.

The Pune seat was earlier held by the undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Party leader Anil Bhosale was elected unopposed, and his term ended in 2022. The seat has remained vacant since then amid delays in elections and the absence of elected representatives in several local bodies, including municipal corporations, councils and zilla parishads.

The situation has now changed following local body elections and political realignments in the district. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strengthened its position in several local bodies and is expected to stake a claim to the seat.

As both the BJP and Ajit Pawar-led NCP are part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, it remains to be seen whether the partners will opt for an unopposed election or contest against each other.

Polling will be held on June 18, with counting scheduled for June 22.