Mumbai | September 1, 2023: In the lead-up to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Indian political landscape is abuzz with activity. On one hand, a significant meeting takes place among the grand alliance of the BJP, the Shinde group, and the Ajit Pawar group, while on the other, national-level leaders of India Aghadi convene in Mumbai. In the midst of these discussions, the possibility of implementing “one country, one election” is also being explored in Delhi, with a committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind tasked to investigate. However, a new debate has recently surfaced, focusing on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Pune. Ajit Pawar has now weighed in on this intriguing topic.
The genesis of this debate can be traced back to the vacant Pune Lok Sabha constituency after the unfortunate passing of Girish Bapat. Speculations abound that BJP’s Sunil Deodhar may express interest in contesting from Pune next year. Subsequently, rumors began circulating about the possibility of Prime Minister Modi himself entering the race from this constituency. While the exact reasons behind this development remain unclear, local BJP leader Sanjay Kakad took the initiative to write a letter directly to Modi, urging him to consider running for office in Pune.
In his letter, Kakad expressed confidence in Modi’s electoral prowess, saying, “When you contested elections in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, BJP secured resounding victories in those states. In Pune, your triumph is guaranteed, and the party’s success rate in the state would be between 90 to 100 percent.”
Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has been steadily gaining influence in the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad regions in recent years, primarily through its alliance with Congress, which had bolstered its political clout until the parties split. Now, with the news of Modi’s potential candidacy in Pune, it appears that Ajit Pawar’s group has also sprung into action in the area.
During a press interaction, when asked about this ongoing discussion, Ajit Pawar asserted that the decision ultimately rests with Modi. He remarked, “There is uncertainty surrounding this matter. Such news emerges daily. Modi’s original constituency is Gujarat. However, he was also elected from Varanasi. Initially, he contested from both constituencies. He is the Prime Minister of the country, and both times, India witnessed over 300 BJP seats won in his name.”
Pawar continued, “Where he chooses to contest the election is entirely his prerogative. I’ve read the news, but there is ambiguity surrounding it. Why should we spend time deliberating on such matters? It is entirely up to his party and him to decide, and they will make their choice accordingly.”
As the political arena buzzes with speculation, all eyes remain on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s final decision regarding the Pune Lok Sabha elections, while the nation awaits the unfolding of this intriguing electoral saga.
