The new Mayor of Pimpri-Chinchwad is an auto-rickshaw driver

Auto-rickshaw driver Rahul Jadhav was struggling 10 years back to make ends meet. He managed to make less than Rs 200 a day, driving an auto, but that didn’t seem to deter him. However, life took a dramatic turn when he decided to try his hand in politics.He is no longer an auto rickshaw driver, but is now the Mayor of Pimpri-Chinchwad district in Pune. On Saturday, wearing an attire matching that of one of India’d finest social reformers, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, he was assigned his Mayoral duties.

Jadhav, a Class 10 dropout, announced in his acceptance speech: “I know the pain of ordinary people like auto rickshaw drivers. During my tenure as the mayor, I will work for the upliftment of the poor.”

Indian Express reports that Jadhav used to drive a six-seater auto rickshaw for five years, from 1997 to 2002 in Chikhli, Bhosari and Moshi areas in Pune. In 2002, he switched from driving an auto rickshaw to farming. Soon, as farming didn’t help him monetarily, he started working with a private firm as a driver. He was greatly Influenced by MNS Chief Raj Thackeray’s speeches and he joined the MNS when the party was set up in 2007. In 2012, he was elected to the PCMC on a MNS ticket. On the eve of 2017 civic body elections, he joined the BJP and was elected from Jadhavwadi area by a margin of over 3,000 votes.

The mayor was chosen unanimously, however, Jadhav broke the tradition, as PCMC had to hold an election for the post as the NCP refused to withdraw its nominee though the numbers didn’t support their side. Jadhav secured 80 votes, much more than 33 polled by NCP nominee Vinod Nadhe. Three corporators from the ruling BJP party and three from NCP remained absent. Five corporators who were independent, voted in favour of Jadhav. The Shiv Sena, however,abstained from voting, which seems to be the flavour of the party. Jadhav, who belongs to MLA Mahesh Landge’s camp, will have a one-year tenure as the mayor. He contested the mayoral elections on an OBC seat.

In the deputy mayoral election, Sachin Chinchwade of the BJP secured 79 votes, defeating NCP nominee Vinaya Tapkir, who managed 32 votes. Chinchwade was elected in 2017 elections from Walhekarwadi area. He is a first-time corporator. The mayoral and deputy mayoral elections took place on Saturday. PMPML CMD Nayana Gunde served as the presiding officer.