BJP’s Murlidhar Mohol Wins Pune Lok Sabha Election
Reported by Mubarak Ansari & Tikam Shekhawat
Pune, 4th June 2024: In a decisive victory, BJP’s Murlidhar Mohol has secured the Pune Lok Sabha seat, defeating Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar by a substantial margin of over one lakh votes. This victory marks a significant achievement for Mohol, who managed to capture a strong lead in key areas like Parvati and Kothrud.
The election saw a competitive race, primarily between Mohol and Dhangekar. Despite an early lead by Dhangekar, Mohol quickly gained ground and maintained his advantage through successive rounds of counting. After four rounds, Mohol led by 27,598 votes and continued to expand his lead, reaching 34,851 votes by the fifth round. By the end of the tenth round, his lead had grown to 50,000 votes, eventually culminating in his final winning margin.
Several factors contributed to Mohol’s victory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally campaigned in Pune, bolstering support. Additionally, the BJP mobilized a large number of leaders to back Mohol, including Devendra Fadnavis, who camped in Pune in the crucial days leading up to the election. Raj Thackeray’s campaign meeting and the support from youth entrepreneur Punit Balan among Ganpati Mandals, as well as various local cultural organizations, also played pivotal roles.
Mohol’s political career has been marked by significant accomplishments. He has served as a member of the Pune Municipal Corporation four times since 2002, held the position of Mayor from 2019 to 2022, and was the Vice President of the All India Council of Mayors. His leadership roles extend to being the Chairman of the Pune Municipal Corporation Standing Committee and a director at the Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited.
In contrast, Ravindra Dhangekar’s campaign failed to maintain its initial momentum. Despite Dhangekar’s confidence that Mohol’s influence would not prevail, the results showcased a different narrative.
