Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol on Sunday said there was “no alternative to the BJP” if Pune is to be developed into one of the country’s best cities. He made the remarks while inaugurating the election campaign of BJP candidates from Ward 8 (Aundh–Bopodi) ahead of the PMC elections. The campaign was formally launched after paying obeisance at the Bhairavnath Mandir, regarded as the presiding deity of Bopodi. Addressing party workers and residents, Mohol said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was a cadre-based organization that worked for people round the year, irrespective of elections.
“Whether there is an election or not, BJP workers remain active 24×7. The condition of the Nationalist Congress Party in Pune is weak to the extent that they are struggling to find candidates and are importing them,” Mohol said. He added that Pune’s development required leadership aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. “We are not seeking power for its own sake. Our objective is public service,” he said. For the PMC elections, the BJP, in alliance with the Republican Party of India, has fielded Sunny Vinayak Nimhan, Parshuram Wadekar, Bhakti Ajit Gaikwad and Sapna Anand Chhajed as candidates from Ward 8.
Focused on development
Mohol said the BJP’s work in PMC over the past five years had focused on pushing the city towards a development-oriented trajectory. He also cited the performance of the central government under Prime Minister Modi, the Maharashtra government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and the work of local MLA Siddharth Shirole. “Today, beneficiaries of government welfare schemes can be found in almost every household,” he said. MLA Siddharth Shirole said that with a “double-engine government” at the centre and in the state, giving the BJP a majority in Pune would result in a “triple-engine government”.
This, he added, would accelerate the city’s development. Speaking on the occasion, BJP candidate Sunny Nimhansaid the panel would work for balanced and inclusive development of the ward, drawing inspiration from late minister Chandrakant Chhajed and late MLA Vinayak Nimhan. He outlined plans to strengthen healthcare facilities in the Bopodi area, including upgrading two municipal dispensaries and starting a trauma care center. He also promised to introduce e-learning schools to improve educational access.
Gaikwad said the panel aims to improve existing civic infrastructure while addressing long-pending local issues through coordination with the municipal administration. She also stressed the importance of transparent governance and community participation in decision making. “Development must be practical and people-oriented. Our effort will be to strengthen healthcare, education, and everyday civic services so that the benefits reach every section of the ward,” Gaikwad said. A large number of BJP and RPI workers were present during the campaign launch.