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Journalism of Courage
Medha Kulkarni, national vice-president of the BJP women’s wing and a former Kothrud MLA, has alleged her rivals within the party unit in the constituency are trying to “erase her political existence” and that the BJP sees no value in her loyalty.
Kulkanri had represented the Kothrud Assembly constituency for a five-year term but was denied a party ticket in the 2019 elections to make way for then Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil. This decision had received strong backlash in the constituency, which is known for its strong Brahmin presence.
Recently, Kulkarni has taken a contrarian view to senior BJP leaders including Patil and former mayor Murlidhar Mohol on the Balbharti-Paud road link project, which is being opposed by a section of residents as it will partially cut the Vetal Tekdi.
In an emotional note posted on her Twitter and Facebook accounts, Kulkarni wrote that she had silently suffered political victimisation but chose to speak up after seeing the posters for the inauguration of the Chandani Chowk flyover erected in her former constituency.
“Who had taken this project to respected Gadkari-ji? He had stated in a speech two years that because of Medhatai this project was taken up. At that time none of the present leaders of Kothrud were involved at that time. Now they are taking the entire credit to themselves. Are they trying to erase the existence of people like me?” she wrote.
‘No all-access pass for me when PM Modi and Shah visited’
“Some time ago, when Modi-ji, Amit Shah-ji visited Pune, selected people were given ‘all access’ passes by keeping the protocol aside. Although I am on a national post, I was not given such a pass. Recently, when ‘mandal adhyaksh’ were decided by Kothrud constituency, I was kept aside. This clearly means that the local leaders don’t want me,” Kulkarni wrote.
Kulkarni said she had raised the issues with senior leaders. “For their personal gain, these people are doing cutthroat, manipulative politics. To a loyal worker like me, it’s evident that my loyalty is of no value,” she wrote.
Kulkarni said that her rivals could easily sideline her because she had no muscle or monetary power. “I am a worker who comes from an ordinary family, devotedly working by following a certain ideology. And with all my heart, I’ve worked for people from all walks of society. Now, however, it’s become unbearable for me to see my efforts being erased,” she further wrote.
