Pune: City BJP Play Favouritism Towards Mulik and Mohol’s Lok Sabha Candidature; Deodhar Left in the Cold Amidst Event War

Pune: With the Lok Sabha elections just a few months away, the political landscape in Pune is intense with activity as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders vie for their Lok Sabha party ticket in the constituency. Amidst intense speculation, the names of former mayor Muralidhar Mohol, former city president Jagdish Mulik, and Sunil Deodhar from the BJP have emerged as frontrunners for the Pune Lok Sabha seat.

A palpable event war has ensued among these three BJP leaders, each striving to bolster their public outreach and solidify their candidature through these events. While Mohol and Mulik have garnered attention with their slew of programmes from party leaders, Deodhar finds himself grappling with the absence of senior BJP leaders at his events, signalling a rift within the party ranks.

Deodhar’s recent endeavour, a grand bike rally titled ‘Namo Pune Abhivadan’ to commemorate the historic construction of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya and applaud Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, garnered mixed reactions. Despite his efforts to rally support, notable BJP figures were conspicuously absent from the event. Deodhar’s recent programme saw the token presence of only BJP youth leader Kunal Tilak, president of Raje Shivaray Pratishthan, and BJP city secretary Mahesh Pawle and Dinesh Hole.

By organising various cultural programmes and award ceremonies in the constituency, Deodhar has endeavoured to broaden his public outreach. However, his bid for the Lok Sabha candidature faces hurdles as local BJP leaders exhibit hesitancy towards endorsing his claim. The reluctance of senior party officials to attend Deodhar’s events underscores the simmering tensions within the BJP ranks.

In contrast, Mohol and Mulik have embarked on extensive campaigns, leveraging their programmes to bolster their prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Both leaders have orchestrated a series of events aimed at galvanising public support and showcasing their leadership prowess, garnering attention from party brass and constituents alike.

However, Deodhar’s bid for candidature encounters resistance, with murmurs within the city BJP suggesting a preference for a local candidate. The perceived outsider status of Deodhar poses a challenge, potentially undermining his candidature in the Pune Lok Sabha constituency.