AAP to Contest All Pune Zila Parishad, Civic Elections; Promises Honest, Youth Leadership Against Dynastic Rule
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that it will independently contest all upcoming Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, and municipal elections in Pune district. The declaration was made during a press conference held at Patrakar Bhavan in Pune by AAP’s Maharashtra state spokesperson Mukund Kirdat, marking a significant political development in the region.
“With the finalisation of the group (gan) and constituency (gat) structure for the upcoming rural local body elections, AAP is preparing to enter the electoral battlefield across all corners of Pune district,” Kirdat said.
He emphasized that AAP will offer a political platform to honest and committed grassroots workers who have long been sidelined by entrenched dynastic and party-hopping leaders. “There are many sincere political activists in this district who have been doing the groundwork for years but never got the opportunity to contest elections. AAP will be the voice of such individuals,” he added.
Kirdat also drew parallels with AAP’s governance models in Delhi and Punjab, highlighting the party’s focus on public welfare. “Our campaign will prioritize education, healthcare, employment, transparent governance, and exposing corruption. We will offer a real alternative to people frustrated with political opportunism and misuse of cooperative institutions for personal gain.”
AAP's Agenda for election
Pune District (East & South) President Dattatray Kad highlighted the growing distress in rural areas, stating that farmers are not receiving fair prices for their produce, unlike a decade ago. “Milk producers and allied agricultural businesses are also facing severe challenges. Government schools in the district are in poor condition, and the health system is on the verge of collapse,” he said. Kad further warned that some talukas in Pune district risk becoming underdeveloped and backward due to the influence of corrupt leaders who frequently switch political allegiances for personal gain.
Adding to this, Pune District (West & North) President Vaibhav Temkar said, “AAP aims to bring systemic change in rural governance.” He shared that the party is already active in Junnar, Ambegaon, and Maval, working on key issues such as opposing smart meters, ensuring justice for displaced communities, and demanding basic amenities for tribal populations.
“For the first time, committed grassroots workers who have built the party in rural areas will get a chance to contest,” Temkar said. He added that AAP plans to field socially aware, young candidates and emphasized the party’s appeal to the youth. “We want young people who see politics not as a business, but as a tool for social service and change,” he stated. He also confirmed that AAP will contest the elections through public donations, reflecting its commitment to clean and people-funded politics.
Also present at the press conference were AAP State Spokesperson Mukund Kirdat, Pune Rural President Dattatray Kad, Vaibhav Temkar, and party leaders Shivaji Kolte, Sunil Savdi, and Subhash Karande.
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