Two candidates withdraw from fray after BJP workers oppose their candidature
Sujata Kakade, wife of BJP loyalist and officebearer Rajendra Kakade, was asked to withdraw her nomination as the party changed its mind to give ticket to wife of former corporator Samrat Thorat
At the receiving end of party workers for giving candidature to new entrants, the city BJP on Thursday made its candidate Pooja More-Jadhav withdraw from the fray.
“Party workers were upset over giving candidature to her. They insisted loyal party workers should be given candidature but not her. Therefore, she was asked to withdraw and the party decided to support another Independent candidate in place of her,” said Union minister and city MP Murlidhar Mohol.
Similarly, Sujata Kakade, wife of BJP loyalist and officebearer Rajendra Kakade, was asked to withdraw her nomination as the party changed its mind to give ticket to wife of former corporator Samrat Thorat, he said.
In her reaction, Pooja said that “she was a victim of false social media campaigns against her by the troll brigade. I am from a poor family. I was fighting for the cause of farmers in Beed and highlighted farmers’ issues during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.”
“I got married eight months ago and came to Pune. I have been working on Hindutva issues since then. I will continue to work for Hindutva and BJP,” she said, adding she was hurt after being made to withdraw her nomination.
Meanwhile, Rajendra Kakade said, “If the party did not want to give candidature then it should have conveyed it clearly. It is insulting to first give candidature and then ask the candidate to withdraw from fray. This is not the treatment loyalists accept from the party. Loyal party workers are very angry.”
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni also said loyal party workers were very upset.
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
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni said loyal party workers were very upset.
