Pune Youth Congress Protests Over Alleged Threat to PMC Commissioner in ₹90-Crore Tender Row

Pune: Pune City Youth Congress staged a protest outside the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) headquarters on Wednesday over reports that Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram was allegedly threatened by a ruling-party MLA in connection with a ₹90-crore road tender.

The controversy relates to a proposed road between Sangamwadi Bridge and Bund Garden. Multiple reports say an MLA allegedly pressured the civic administration over the selection of a contractor and later threatened the commissioner with an Atrocities Act case. Ram has confirmed receiving a threat but has not publicly identified the MLA, according to reports.

‘Kumbhakarna’ Protest Outside PMC

The Youth Congress organised a symbolic protest at the main entrance of the PMC building, using a person portraying a sleeping “Kumbhakarna Devabhau” to criticise what the party described as inaction by the state government and local administration.

Protesters played dhol-tasha and raised slogans demanding action against anyone attempting to pressure civic officials. The demonstration was led jointly by Pune City Congress Committee (East) president Prashant Jagtap, Pune City Youth Congress president Saurabh Amarale and Pune City Mahila Congress president Swati Shinde.

The allegations surrounding the tender have triggered political reactions in Pune, with opposition parties demanding an investigation into the reported threat.

Congress Demands Disclosure of MLA’s Identity

Speaking during the protest, Prashant Jagtap alleged that the episode raised questions about political pressure on civic officials. He argued that if senior administrative officers faced such threats, concerns would also arise about the position of ordinary citizens.

Youth Congress city president Saurabh Amarale said the organisation supported the municipal commissioner in taking decisions according to established procedures. He demanded that the identity of the MLA accused of issuing the threat be disclosed and that appropriate legal action be taken if the allegations are established.

Amarale also said the Youth Congress would intensify its protests across Pune if action was not taken.

Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, meanwhile, has said civic tenders and development works would be decided according to rules and would not be influenced by political or external pressure.

₹90-Crore Road Tender at Centre of Controversy

The dispute concerns a roughly ₹90-crore tender for a proposed 17-metre-wide alternative road connecting Sangamwadi Bridge and Bund Garden as part of the Mula-Mutha riverfront development project.

Reports citing civic sources say the contractor who emerged as the lowest bidder quoted around 12% below the estimated cost, while another bidder allegedly favoured by the MLA quoted about 1% below the estimate. Civic officials estimated that awarding the contract to the lowest eligible bidder could save PMC approximately ₹8.5 crore to ₹9 crore.

The MLA at the centre of the allegation has not been named publicly by the commissioner in the reports reviewed. Accordingly, the allegations of pressure and threats should not be treated as established findings against any particular legislator.

Several Congress office-bearers and workers, including Sunil Shinde, Meghshyam Dharamavat, Dilipsingh Deshmukh, Rishikesh Thorat, Saddam Shaikh, Abhijit Chavan and Vikrant Dhaotre, participated in the demonstration, according to the Youth Congress statement.