Bharatiya Janata Party’s Stronghold Moves from Kasba Peth to Kothrud in Pune
Kothrud, 6th June 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s stronghold in Pune city has shifted from the Kasba assembly constituency to Kothrud, marking a significant transition in power dynamics. Formerly controlled by the BJP, the Kasba assembly constituency has now given its dominance to Kothrud, which has emerged as the new nerve centre for the party.
With Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, former Union Ministers, Guardian Ministers, existing ministers, and the city central office all situated within the Kothrud Assembly Constituency, it is evident that the BJP’s power base in the city has shifted to this area.
Previously, the city’s political affairs were orchestrated from the Kasba Assembly Constituency, where the late MP Girish Bapat, a five-time MLA, held sway. However, the narrative changed with the candidacy of Minister Chandrakant Patil from Kothrud in the October 2019 elections. Following his election as MLA and subsequent appointment as the guardian minister of Pune district, Chandrakant Patil assumed control of Pune’s political landscape.
The significance of Kothrud was further underscored after the demise of Bapat. The current sitting MP, Murlidhar Mohol, is from Kothrud and has held prominent positions in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), including Standing Committee Chairman and Mayor. Additionally, the constituency boasts prominent figures such as former Kothrud MLA Prof. Dr Medha Kulkarni, who is a Rajya Sabha member now, and former Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Although Chandrakant Patil currently does not hold the rank of Guardian Minister, he serves as the Minister of Higher and Technical Education of Maharashtra. With two MPs, one former Union Minister, and one state minister hailing from Kothrud, the constituency has cemented its status as the new epicentre of BJP’s influence in Pune.
Over the years, the BJP’s operations have transitioned from an office near Tambdi Jogeshwari Mandir in Kasba Peth constituency to Shirole Road in Shivajinagar, and finally to premises near PMC Bhawan. Efforts are underway to secure a permanent office space, reflecting the party’s commitment to establishing a lasting presence in Kothrud.
