Mohol slams NCP for supporting gangsters’ kin in PMC poll, but justifies BJP’s fielding criminal’s spouse | Mumbai News

Pune: MP and BJP’s in-charge for civic polls in Pune district, Murlidhar Mohol, on Thursday criticised deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led NCP for backing women from the families of gangsters Bandu Andekar and Gajanan Marne in the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) election.“The Pune guardian minister (Ajit Pawar) talks about cracking down on criminals and eliminating the koyta gang, but these claims seem hollow when we look at their candidate list…Maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of elected representatives. Giving tickets to people associated with criminals will definitely disturb peace in Pune. Citizens are wise and will respond through the EVMs,” Mohol said.

Ajit Pawar’s NCP has allied with RPI (Kharat), and under this arrangement, Bandu Andekar’s daughter-in-law Sonali and sister-in-law Laxmi have filed nominations for the Raviwar Peth-Rasta Peth ward. Bandu’s son, Vanraj, had contested on an NCP ticket and won the PMC poll in 2017 but was murdered on Sept 1, 2024. Now, Sonali and Laxmi are in the fray, and although they filed nominations under RPI (Kharat), they are expected to contest on the NCP’s clock symbol.Responding, Ajit Pawar said the seats in question were allocated to RPI (Kharat) as part of the alliance. “It is that party’s decision to nominate candidates. I will issue a detailed statement on this later,” Pawar said after visiting the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial.In a twist in the tale, BJP has also fielded Pratibha Chorge, wife of Rohidas, who has a criminal record. When asked about this, Mohol said, “Pratibha has been involved in social work and has no criminal charges against her. Now that her husband’s record has come up, the party will review the matter.”BOX:BJP candidate withdraws nomination after online trollingPrasad.KulkarniPune: Puja More, the BJP candidate from Ward number 2 of PMC, withdrew her nomination on Wednesday, citing trolling on social media over her past remarks.In earlier posts, More had made critical comments about CM Devendra Fadnavis. Speaking to reporters after her withdrawal, she said, “Social media played a significant role in previous elections. If misleading information about me is being circulated online, it could harm the party’s image. Therefore, I chose to step down as the BJP candidate.”Speaking on her decision, Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol said, “Some party workers opposed her candidature. The party collectively decided to replace the candidate for that seat.”