BJP’s Medha Kulkarni Nominated as Rajya Sabha Candidate, Reshaping Political Dynamics in Pune

Pune: In a strategic move underscoring party loyalty, Medha Kulkarni, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Mahila Morcha National Vice President and former Kothrud MLA, has been named as the BJP’s Rajya Sabha candidate. Kulkarni’s nomination to the upper house comes as a significant political rehabilitation by the party, particularly noteworthy as there were discussions regarding her eyeing a Pune Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general elections.

The official announcement of Rajya Sabha candidates, including Medha Kulkarni’s name, was made by the BJP on Wednesday, stirring political discussions and recalibrating calculations ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Kulkarni’s unexpected move to apply for a ‘No Dues’ certificate from the Income Tax Department of the Municipal Corporation on Tuesday had sparked speculations regarding her Rajya Sabha candidature.

With Rajya Sabha seat elections scheduled for the end of next month, the state of Maharashtra has six seats, five of which are expected to be divided among the ruling BJP and its allied parties. Notably, Medha Kulkarni, a former BJP MLA from the Kothrud Assembly Constituency, secured victory in the 2014 assembly elections. However, in the 2019 elections, the party opted to nominate the then state BJP president, Chandrakant Patil, for the Kothrud constituency, leading to discussions about Kulkarni’s potential disenchantment with the party.

The sudden decision to deny him a ticket had garnered sympathy from constituents, who perceived Kulkarni as a victim of internal party dynamics. Despite the setback, Kulkarni maintained a dignified silence, resorting to subtle messaging through social media platforms. Instances such as the inauguration of the flyover in Chandni Chowk, where his absence was conspicuous, further highlighted the rift. Notably, Devendra Fadnavis and Nitin Gadkari’s acknowledgment of his plight during that event did not go unnoticed.