Baner prospects battle it out

A lot of old horses are pitted against emerging young candidates in Baner at this year's civic body elections.  

Baburao Chandere (51) is contesting the election for the second time for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from Baner.  He is the current corporator and feels, "People have faith in me hence I am filing in my nomination. On top of my list are getting gardens sanctioned on the new DP road and also establishing a hospital or a clinic in Baner."
Ranjana Ashok Murkute (48) is contesting the election for the first time for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Though educated only until standard 12, Ranjana has had vast in-field training in social work from her parents and her husband. "I was born in a family where social work came before than anything else. We believe that everyone has to do their bit for the society. It is a tradition that I follow diligently. I have seen my father work all his life towards social welfare and that is what I intend to bring to the fore when elected. What Baner ails currently is the lack of good dispensaries and entertainment spaces. I would also like to see gardens coming up as well as an electric crematorium, which is also the need of the hour."
Dynaneshwar Tapikir (57) is contesting the election for the third time for Indian National Congress from Baner. "I was a corporator before and people elected me because I came armed with the experience of 12 years of service in the PMC. During my tenure, I built schools, roads, brought water through pipelines in Baner. If elected this time, I will make sure that the incomplete roadwork is taken care of. Also, there is a need of a police chowky in Baner, besides a garden and a recreation centre for senior citizens."
Pravin Shinde, MNS corporator candidate for Pune Municipal Election from Aundh/Baner Prabhag number 9 (B) said, "We will focus towards the renovation of Aundh and Baner, where citizens severely suffered due to lack of amenities such as roads and water shortage. We will build Virangula Kendra and playgrounds. There are numbers of schools situated near Balewadi phata; local students need to be given priority for admissions there."
Sushama Vishal Gandile (31) is the Shiv Sena candidate. She hails from Kalamkar family who is well-known for its social work. The first-timer reveals, "I plan to fight as a common citizen for the rights and I will try my level best to do what I can if elected. On my agenda, gardens, playgrounds and garbage menace resolution will take precedence.
Prakash Kisan Balwadkar (44), a farmer to the core, is one of the many Balwadkars who have been residing in the developing suburb of Balewadi.  On his agenda for the upcoming elections are amenities such as good toilet blocks. "Ramnadi is of utmost importance to the residents, I would work on getting it cleaned and protected under the Environment Act."
Purushottam Tukaram Misal is an independent candidate with a B.E. (mechanical) degree and a Diploma in Journalism.  A professor for the last 17 years feels that if elected, he would pay heed to the betterment of the Aundh-Baner connectivity by developing roads. He stressed upon getting PMPML buses to ply more often in the Baner area, conservation of hills and rivers and finding a permanent solution for Ramnadi. "I would also look at providing public health care centers which will be much improved, as well as police chowky, which is the need of the hour."
Ward no 10 consists of Sutarwadi, Abhinv College of Arts, Pashan Lake, A.E.D.R., Bharat Electronics, H.E.M.R.L., Lenyadri Society, Panchavati Society etc. It has a population of 28282 with reservation for ST in A group and general for B group.
Mayuri Rahul Kokate (25) is contesting from pashan for the first time for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). City president Vikas Mathkari said, "We chose Kokate for her willingness and enthusiastic approach towards the betterment of Pashan."

VITAL STATS
Ward no 9 consists of Balewadi Gaonthan, Baner Gaonthan, Pancard Club, National Insurance Acadamy, Someshvarwadi, Sutarwadi, Indian Meteorological Department, National Institute of Virology, N.C.L., N.I.C.M.R. etc. It has a population of 29175.

--Prachi Bari, Ravi Bendre,Ramesh Kumar