Pune’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has withdrawn the nomination of Pooja Jadhav-More from the Fulenagar–Nagpur Chawl ward in the Pune Municipal Corporation elections after sustained criticism on social media. The withdrawal marks a sudden reversal for a candidate who had been preparing a municipal campaign alongside her husband, Dhananjay Jadhav.
Pooja Jadhav-More Pune withdrawal: what happened
The party had officially fielded Pooja Jadhav-More for Ward 2, an open-category seat, after internal deliberations. Her selection, however, drew widespread attention online following comments she made in reaction to the Pahalgam militant attack. Critics on social platforms launched a large-scale campaign against her, describing the remarks as inappropriate. Facing mounting pressure, the BJP decided to accept the couple’s decision to withdraw their nomination and to redirect party support within the ward.
The withdrawal occurred when Pooja and Dhananjay Jadhav formally pulled their nomination papers. As they left the regional party office, they were met by angry party workers who raised protests at the decision. Speaking with reporters, Pooja Jadhav-More said she regretted the error that had provoked a strong reaction and expressed pain at what she described as a deliberate campaign against her. She also affirmed her commitment to the party’s ideology and vowed to continue her political work.
Local impact and party calculations
The change has immediate implications for the local contest. Aditi Babar, who had been preparing to contest the ward independently after missing official selection, may now receive BJP backing. The party’s rapid change of course appears aimed at containing factional tensions within its local units and preventing a split in votes that could benefit rival candidates.
Party insiders said the allocation process had already caused friction. Pooja Jadhav-More had sought a ticket from Ward 1 as an OBC candidate, but the BJP had chosen Vandana Khandave for the OBC slot, leaving Jadhav-More to pursue Ward 2. The last-minute filing of nomination papers by Dhananjay Jadhav for Ward 2 further complicated the matter and generated resentment among local aspirants.
What the electorate should watch for
The episode highlights how social media campaigns can influence candidate selection and party strategy in municipal contests. Observers should watch whether the BJP formally endorses Aditi Babar or another contender and whether the party’s local vote base remains cohesive or fragments ahead of polling. Given the narrow margins that often decide ward-level contests, party discipline and timely candidate management will be decisive.
For Pooja Jadhav-More, the withdrawal is a pause rather than an end to political activity. She described herself as a fighter and indicated she will remain active in the community. For the BJP in Pune, the incident will be a reminder of the reputational risks posed by online backlash, and the need to balance local alliances with candidate vetting in a high-stakes municipal campaign season.
Key Takeaways:
- Pooja Jadhav-More withdrew her BJP nomination for Pune Municipal Corporation following extensive social media criticism.
- The party has retracted her nomination and may back a rival who is now contesting as an independent.
- The decision followed internal party tensions over candidate allocation and a public online campaign against her remarks.
