Pune: Political Tensions Rise in Kasba Peth as BJP Leaders Engage in Fierce Poster War Ahead of Maharashtra Elections

Kasba Peth, 4th October 2024: As the Legislative Assembly elections in Maharashtra approach, political activities have begun to intensify. Likewise, leaders aspiring to contest have started making moves in their constituencies. Two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, the former chairman of the Standing Committee of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Hemant Rasane and BJP Pune City President Dheeraj Ghate, have engaged in a poster war in the Kasba Peth constituency of Pune. Their posters, featuring challenging language towards each other, have sparked widespread speculation.

There is a possibility that BJP might get Kothrud, Shivajinagar, Khadakwasla, Parvati, and Pune Cantonment, along with Kasba Peth constituencies to contest in the upcoming elections, while Hadapsar and Wadgaon Sheri constituencies are expected to go to the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). BJP is already facing a strong challenge from the sitting MLA of the Kasba Peth constituency, Congress’s Ravindra Dhangekar. Dhangekar defeated BJP’s Rasane by nearly 11,000 votes in the by-elections held in January 2023. Although Dhangekar lost to BJP’s Murlidhar Mohol in the Lok Sabha elections, defeating him in the upcoming elections will pose a significant challenge for BJP, and all eyes are on this contest.

In Kasba Peth itself, the BJP gained a lead of around 15,000 votes in the Kasba Peth constituency. As a result, along with Hemant Rasane and Dheeraj Ghate, even Kunal Tilak’s confidence has soared. All three are interested in contesting the upcoming elections and have started making moves. A claim has been made for the candidature by meeting state-level leaders. On Tuesday (1st October), a test was conducted among the office bearers to determine who is the right candidate for the town. While all three have demonstrated their strength in this process, the posters in the city have now added more complexity to the matter.

What Do the Posters Say?

Hemant Rasane’s posters say, “Ek Call Samasya Solve, Hum Hai Taiyar” (One Call, Problem Solved, We Are Ready), while Dheeraj Ghate’s poster reads, “Laga Lo Dum, Aa Rahe Hai Hum” (Get Ready, We Are Coming). Activists are also in a tizzy due to such posters being displayed among the prominent leaders. The question now is what role to take. Additionally, if one of these two candidates is announced, care must be taken to avoid escalating the debate within the party.