Pune: With just Monday and Tuesday left for filing of nominations, uncertainty continues to grip political aspirants across the city. Despite the election schedule being announced, none of the big parties have declared their official candidate lists, resulting in a sluggish start to the nomination process dominated largely by independent candidates. The delay is being attributed to ongoing alliance negotiations among major political formations, leaving hopefuls in wards across Pune on tenterhooks. However, election officials and party ward offices are bracing for a huge rush over the next 48 hours, with candidates preparing to file nominations even without formal party authorisation.Party insiders admit that seat-sharing talks have dragged on longer than expected, pushing candidates into a wait-and-watch mode even as the deadline looms. So far, only a handful of nominations have been filed, mostly by independents and rebel aspirants. For Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) election, in ward no. 6 Yerawada, Namrata Mahajan, who campaigned quietly for months, announced that she will file her nomination on Monday. “I am confident my party will finalise my name. I cannot afford to lose time, so my filing plan is ready,” she said, adding that a rally with local workers has been organised from Alandi Road to the ward office.Shashi Tingre from ward no. 1 Lohegaon-Dhanori confirmed that he will file papers on Tuesday. “The workers are charged up. Whether the list comes today or tomorrow, we are prepared. People want continuity of work, and that confidence is taking me forward,” Tingre said.Raja Gorde, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s former corporator from ward no. 10 Bavdhan-Bhusari Colony, appealed to residents from his ward to join the rally at 10am from the party office on DP Road in Kothrud.Another hopeful, Imran Sheikh from ward no. 27 Kondhwa, said alliance talks are beyond them, but the elections are on the ground. “I will file my nomination with or without the symbol,” he said.Busy Week Ahead in Election Calendar Nomination filing period I Dec 23 to Dec 30Scrutiny I Dec 31 Publication of the list of valid nominated candidates immediately after scrutiny Final date for withdrawal of candidature I Jan 2, 2026 Allotment of election symbols I Jan 3 Publication of final list of contesting candidates I Jan 3 Voting day I Jan 15 Counting & declaration of results I Jan 16 There will be a bike rally on Monday starting at 9am from sector 1 to Balajinagar ward office. There is enthusiasm among the party workers despite the uncertainty. The party leadership will take the right decision, but we are ready Tushar Rahane I NCP’s likely candidate in Pimpri Chinchwad’s ward no.8 The next two days will see crowded scenes at party offices and ward-level election centres, with multiple aspirants filing nominations as a precautionary move. The real picture will become clear after scrutiny on Dec 31 and withdrawals on Jan 2, once party symbols are officially allottedA senior Congress leader from Pune
