6 Modi rallies in barely 2 days in Maharashtra, Opposition says BJP in ‘panic mode’

Except for the Baramati seat, most of the seats where PM Modi will be holding rallies had been won by the BJP in the 2019 elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing an election rally in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. (Photo: Narendra Modi/ X)

After holding a rally in Kolhapur on Saturday which expectedly drew a huge turnout, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold six rallies in Solapur, Pune, Latur, Madha, and Satara Lok Sabha constituencies in the next two days. Sources said the BJP has planned the rallies in these constituencies as the party faces tough challenges, unlike the 2014 and 2019 elections when it won comfortably.

While the BJP said the rallies are being held due to increasing public demand and as a part of the party’s outreach strategy, the Opposition claimed the BJP is in a “panic mode” and was, therefore, banking on rallies by PM Modi.

“In Western Maharashtra, the BJP is holding rallies in almost all Lok Sabha constituencies. In Marathwada, too, the PM has already held rallies in Nanded and Parbhani, now he will again be seen in Latur. This shows the BJP is terrified of losing seats and will not be able to cross even the 200-seat mark,” said NCP (SP) Spokesperson Mahesh Tapase.

BJP Spokesperson Keshav Upadhaye said, “The PM’s rally has been planned as part of the strategy to reach out to the maximum number of voters. Each and every seat is important to us. The PM is holding more rallies because of the increasing public demand. People are excited to hear his speech and his plans for the country.”

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Except for the Baramati seat, most of the seats where the prime minister will be holding rallies had been won by the BJP in the 2019 elections.

In the Pune seat, Girish Bapat of the BJP had won. He passed away last year and the BJP this time has fielded Murlidhar Mohol. Mohol is contesting for the first time and is facing a challenge from Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar. Despite all-out efforts by the BJP last year, Dhangekar had defeated its candidate from the Kasba Peth Assembly constituency.

“Therefore, the BJP does not want to take any chances in the Pune seat, especially in view of Dhangekar’s popularity among the common man. The prime minister’s rally will do wonders to Mohol’s chances,” said a BJP leader.

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The prime minister’s Pune rally, which was earlier planned at S P College Ground, has now been moved to Racecourse Ground. The rally will be held on Monday evening.

BJP Maharashtra Vice-President Rajesh Pandey said, “The PM’s rally will be held on the 128-acre Racecourse Ground where 22 LED screens have been put up… We expect over two lakh people to turn up.”

In the Pune district, the prime minister is holding a rally not just for the party’s Pune city candidate, but also for those from Baramati, Maval, and Shirur. In each constituency, poll observers said that the contest will be a close one.

In Baramati, the NCP led by Ajit Pawar – a part of the BJP-led Mahayuti – has fielded Sunetra Pawar to take on three-time sitting MP Supriya Sule. The Ajit Pawar camp said the PM’s rally will provide a major boost to Sunetra Pawar’s chances of winning her first election. “The Baramati battle is a tough one. And if the prime minister holds a rally, then it will certainly go a long way in benefitting the chances of our candidate. PM Modi’s mere presence in Pune will have a cascading effect on the poll outcome of all Mahayuti candidates,” said NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil.

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In his address at the Pune rally, the prime minister is expected to attack NCP(SP) Chief Sharad Pawar, like he did in the past. NCP(SP) leaders claimed the party chief would give a befitting reply to the prime minister if he resorted to his old tactics. “We will hit back ferociously. Our party president has always given a strong riposte to the prime minister’s remarks directly targeting him,” Tapase said.

In Maval and Shirur, Shiv Sena candidates Shrirang Barne and Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil are also struggling to fend off challenges from Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) candidates.

In the Solapur Lok Sabha seat, the BJP first replaced the sitting MP in 2019 as he ‘failed to take central government policies to the people’. “And the same thing happened the second time. Now we have fielded a young candidate in Ram Satpute,” said BJP Solapur City Chief Narendra Kale.

In Solapur, the BJP candidate is facing a challenge from Congress MLA Praniti Shinde. VBA candidate Rahul Gaikwad withdrew from the fray accusing the BJP of planning to change the Constitution. “This time, the Congress candidate is much ahead of the BJP candidate. The BJP is facing flak over water problems and inefficiency of its MPs,” said Mahesh Kothe] of NCP (SP).

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The prime minister had visited Solapur in January when he had distributed houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. “Of the 30,000 houses which were supposed to be distributed, keys for 15,000 houses have been handed over so far,” said a BJP leader.

In Satara, Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale of the BJP badly needs the presence of the prime minister, said party leaders. The PM will hold the rally in Karad.

“Last time, Udayanraje lost to 80-year-old Shriniwas Patil of undivided NCP. It was a huge embarrassment for the descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This time, Udayanraje wants to win with a massive margin to avenge his loss in the 2019 elections,” said a close aide.

In the Madha constituency, BJP’s Ranjeet Naik Nimbalkar faces opposition from within the party. A section of the party leaders led by Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil joined hands with the NCP(SP). His nephew Dhairyashil Mohite-Patil, upset at the denial of nomination, is contesting on the NCP(SP) ticket. “The BJP is limping in Madha. We have a clear edge here and that is why the BJP wants to create an atmosphere in its favour by holding a rally by the prime minister,” Tapase concluded.

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Voting for the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra is being held in five phases from April 19 to May 20.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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