Premium

Fadnavis promises MIDC in Bhor as Thopte alleges NCP of hampering development

The demand of providing a financial relief package of Rs 467 crore to Rajgad sugar cooperative factory has been already fulfilled, he said, adding the BJP has now got into Bhor so no one can stop its development now.

3 min readMumbaiUpdated: Dec 1, 2025 10:29 PM IST

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promised the long-pending MIDC for youth employment and cited past aid to a sugar factory. (Source: Express Archives)

To make inroads in Bhor, which is part of the Pawar family bastion of Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday assured its residents of fulfilling their long-pending demand of a Maharashtra Industries Development Corporation (MIDC) in Bhor while seeking votes for the BJP in Bhor Nagar Parishad. BJP is taking on the Ajit Pawar-led NCP in this nagar parishad.

The BJP had no presence in Bhor till it got former Congress legislator Sangram Thopte in the party. Thopte, son of former state minister Anantrao Thopte, had a hold of politics in Bhor and their family had rivalry against the Pawar family for long. Thopte had lost the Assembly election to NCP candidate Shankar Mandekar and thereafter he joined the Congress.

In the first civic polls of Bhor Nagar Parishad after Thopte parted away from Congress, there was a direct tussle within the BJP and NCP, which are in alliance in the state and Centre. The Congress has virtually disappeared with only one candidate in the fray in the 21-member body of Bhor Nagar Parishad.

“I will fulfill the long pending demand of starting a MIDC in Bhor for employment of the youth. I will make it successful,” said Fadnavis in the election rally. “Voters should stand by the BJP on polling day on Tuesday and I will stand by the citizens of Bhor for next five years,” the CM said.

The demand of providing a financial relief package of Rs 467 crore to Rajgad sugar cooperative factory has been already fulfilled, he said, adding the BJP has now got into Bhor so no one can stop its development now.

“I had said that Sangram Thopte used to work hard in Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections but he never got justice in his previous political party. The same was faced by his father Anantrao Thopte. So I had offered him to join the BJP,” he said.

The CM said Thopte was now in the right party and would be able to get development work for Bhor. Thopte said Fadnavis, despite opposition from the alliance partners in government, sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 467 crore to Rajgad sugar mill of Bhor.

Story continues below this ad

“I had approached the Pune district cooperative bank multiple times for loan waiver for the Rajgad sugar cooperative factory but those (Ajit Pawar) holding control didn’t get the time to approve it. But now under the leadership of Fadnavis the government sanctioned it,” Thopte said.

He said this kind of treatment by rivals (Pawar family) has always been there in Bhor tehsil. “First they (Ajit Pawar) ensured that Bhor never got developed and now he is saying there has been no development of Bhor under the Thopte family,” said Thopte.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...