India, Dec. 21 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party conducted a large-scale induction drive on Saturday, informally described as a "mega bharti," as several corporators, former candidates, and relatives of opposition MLAs joined the party ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections.

Those who were inducted into the BJP included Surendra Pathare, son of NCP (SP) MLA Bapu Pathare, along with corporators Sachin Dodke, Vikas Dangat, Bala Dhankawade, Sayali Wanjale, Narayan Galande, and Rohini Chimate. The event was held in Mumbai and attended by state BJP president Ravindra Chavan and senior leaders Chandrakant Patil and Murlidhar Mohol.

Party leaders said the BJP has strategically inducted leaders from areas where it has traditionally...