The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Pune was forced into swift damage control after old video clips of a party candidate making disparaging remarks against senior leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis surfaced online, leading to her immediate removal from the candidate list.
Viral Videos Trigger Political Crisis
The controversy erupted just ahead of the February 21 elections for the Kasba Peth Assembly constituency's bypoll and the Pune Municipal Corporation's graduate constituency polls. Archana Patil, the BJP's nominated candidate for the Pune Graduate Constituency of the Legislative Council, found herself at the center of a storm. Several video clips from past events began circulating on social media, showing Patil making strong criticisms of Devendra Fadnavis.
In one of the videos, she is heard accusing Fadnavis of neglecting the development of Pune's Kasba Peth area. "He only comes here during elections. What has he done for Kasba Peth?" Patil is seen stating in the clip. The videos, believed to be from a period when she was associated with a different political party, caused significant embarrassment for the BJP leadership, which promotes a strict line of discipline and public unity.
Swift Action and Candidate Replacement
Faced with the viral content and its potential impact on the party's image and electoral prospects, the BJP's state leadership acted decisively. The party withdrew Archana Patil's nomination for the Pune Graduate Constituency seat. This move was confirmed by Chandrakant Patil, the state BJP president, who emphasized the party's zero-tolerance policy towards actions that could harm its collective reputation.
To fill the vacancy, the party promptly announced a new candidate. BJP leader and former corporator, Dheeraj Ghate, was named as the replacement candidate for the crucial graduate constituency poll. The episode underscored the high-stakes nature of the upcoming elections and the BJP's intent to avoid any internal discord being showcased publicly.
Broader Implications for Pune Politics
This incident highlights the intense scrutiny candidates face in the digital age, where past statements can resurface with immediate political consequences. The Kasba Peth bypoll and the graduate constituency elections are seen as key tests for major parties in Maharashtra, including the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The BJP's quick response in removing Patil and fielding a new candidate is aimed at containing the fallout and presenting a united front. It also serves as a reminder to all party members about the expectations of loyalty and the perils of old public statements conflicting with the party's current line. The focus now shifts to whether this last-minute candidate change will affect the BJP's electoral calculations in Pune's politically significant graduate constituency.
