‘Ignored, insulted’: Unrest in Pune BJP as sabotage allegations crop up; party worker who built Modi temple resigns

BJP MLAs in Kothrud and Khadakwasla have been accused of trying to sabotage the candidate selection process ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Mayur Munde, a BJP follower constructed a temple for Prime minister Modi at Pariwar chowk in Aundh. (Express photograph by Arul Horizon)

The upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra have brought to the fore differences within the BJP’s Pune unit with sitting MLAs in Kothrud and Khadakwasla being accused of trying to sabotage the candidate selection process and the Shivajinagar MLA facing complaints of ignoring loyal party workers.

Shri NaMo Foundation’s Mayur Mundhe, a BJP worker who once built a temple of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Aundh in 2021, went public with his allegations against Shivajinagar MLA Siddharth Shirole. “I have been working as a loyal party worker for many years. I have sincerely performed party work in various posts. The BJP has been ignoring loyal party workers and giving importance to those who joined from other political parties,” Mundhe told The Indian Express on Friday.

He alleged that MLAs were appointing office-bearers to enhance their own support base and various party posts were being given to those inducted from other parties. “Former office bearers are insulted, not called for party meetings, their opinions are ignored and they are not involved in the election process. The sitting legislator spends development funds in the area of those who joined the BJP from other parties but not for the loyal party workers’ area,” Mundhe claimed.

“The sitting legislator has neither got any funds nor taken efforts to implement any two major projects in Shivajinagar Assembly constituency in the last five years. Thus, the development of the constituency has stopped,” he further alleged.

“I am resigning from all posts of the party. I am a staunch supporter of PM Modi and worked for him but there is no place for people like us in the party so I am quitting the party,” Mundhe said, adding that he had sent a copy of his resignation to PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the national, state and city BJP chiefs.

Former corporator Amol Balwadkar, who is aspiring to get a BJP ticket from Kothrud, said on Thursday that the day he declared his intention to contest the Assembly elections, he was ignored by BJP leaders. State minister Chandrakant Patil is the sitting MLA from Kothrud.

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“It has been two months. None of the BJP leaders share a dais with me at any function I organise. It is being deliberately done… I ignored it till now. Recently, there was a review meeting called for an Assembly election in which supporters were asked to name their choice of candidate but I was kept in the dark about it till the last minute. Patil’s supporters ensured that my supporters did not turn up for the meeting. The few who were present were asked not to take my name,” Balwadkar said.

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Former corporator Prasanna Jagtap made a similar allegation against Khadakwasla MLA Bhimrao Tapkir on Thursday. “I learnt about the review meeting at the last minute through an SMS. Deliberate efforts were made to ensure my name did not crop up in the meeting. I was not allowed to speak,” Jagtap, an aspirant for the Khadakwasla seat, said.

Meanwhile, the BJP has directed all its leaders and cadres not to go public on their unrest, sources said.

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

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