BJP worker removes PM Modi bust from temple after criticism, NCP ‘disappointed’

Modi temple: NCP workers say they wanted to offer petrol, LPG and food items to Modi’s idol as their prices are running at an all-time high

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Mayur Munde, a BJP activist, constructed a temple for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Pariwar chowk in Aundh. (Express photo by Arul Horizon)

A BJP worker, who had set up a temple with the bust of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Aundh, has removed the sculpture after he was pulled up by the BJP leadership in Delhi.

Mayur Munde had set up a small temple alongside a road in Aundh area a few days ago and installed a bust of Modi in it. “I am a follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I worship him… and take his blessings. The temple would also enable other followers to seek his blessings,” Munde had said.

His action, however, attracted sharp criticism, not only from opposition parties but even local BJP leaders. After the bust was removed, both NCP and Shiv Sena used this opportunity to take potshots at the BJP and said they were “disappointed”.

“We came to the temple and wanted to offer petrol, LPG, and food items to the idol as their prices are at an all-time high. We had decided to pray in the temple to bring down the prices of necessary items, provide employment to youth and solve civic problems of the city, but we were disappointed as the bust of the Prime Minister has been removed,” said city NCP chief Prashant Jagtap.

Leaders of the city unit of Shiv Sena also said they wanted to offer prayers at the temple but the bust of the Prime Minister was removed before that. “Inflation is at an all-time high and it is difficult for the poor to survive in the current situation. We wanted to pray… to help the poor,” said a Sena leader.

While Munde initially remained unavailable for comments, he addressed the media late on Thursday. “I am here to clear my stand but my lawyer Madhukar Musale will speak on my behalf,” he said.

Musale said Munde had set up the temple and it was recently inaugurated by local residents. “News about the temple spread across the country due to the respect and love for the Prime Minister. It also reached BJP’s national leaders… they called me up and asked me to remove the statue,” he said.

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“A national leader communicated… that the construction of the temple of the Prime Minister was not in accordance with the principles and values of the BJP. The leader said, ‘we can understand the respect and love of party workers towards the Prime Minister but this way of expressing it was incorrect. The bust of the PM should be removed’,” said Musale.

The bust has now been kept in the local BJP office, the lawyer said, adding, “We will not worship the bust but it will inspire party workers visiting the office.”

Musale, however, emphasised that the bust was not removed because of criticism from opposition parties, but “in response to the directions of a national leader”.

“The national leader from Delhi communicated to me and I passed on the message to Munde,” Musale said without revealing the name of the leader.

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Earlier in the day, Siddharth Shirole, BJP MLA from Shivajinagar constituency, which includes Aundh, had commented on the controversy. “It is true that a BJP worker had set up a temple in Aundh where the bust of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was kept for worship. He might have done so due to his feelings towards the Prime Minister but the party had no information about it. The initiative came under sharp criticism from every quarter… the BJP does not accept such behaviour. It seems he has removed the bust due to the the criticism,” he said.

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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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