Pune Polls Shock: Past Remarks on Pahalgam Attack Cost Pooja More Her BJP Ticket | 7 Key Political Takeaways
Ahead of Pune polls, BJP drops Pooja More after her past remarks on the Pahalgam attack, with CM Devendra Fadnavis intervening
Ahead of the Pune civic polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party had announced Pooja More as its candidate from Ward No. 2. However, the decision sparked intense backlash from within the party, with several BJP workers openly opposing her nomination.
Much of the criticism centred on her past statements, including her reaction after the Pahalgam attack and earlier remarks critical of Devendra Fadnavis, which resurfaced on social media and led to trolling on social media.
As the internal opposition grew stronger, party workers launched a campaign against her candidature. And with the mounting pressure, eventually, Pooja More withdrew her nomination. During the press conference, she, along with her husband, became emotional during the announcement.
After stepping aside, Pooja More spoke about her personal journey, saying she comes from a very modest background and has faced years of struggle. She shared that she moved to Pune after marrying Dhananjay Jadhav and actively participated in farmers’ movements, even enduring police baton charges, criminal cases and repeated court visits.
More added that there were times when she lacked the financial means to fight legal battles, yet she persisted. Receiving a ticket from the BJP, she said, was a rare and fortunate opportunity for a grassroots worker like her, and she hoped to use it to work for justice for people at the lowest levels of society.
During the press meet, More said, “A small mistake from her past was magnified and turned into a conspiracy against her.” She clarified that her initial reaction to the Pahalgam attack was given immediately, but after meeting victims and locals, she understood that the attack had targeted people based on religion.
She also said that her photograph with Rahul Gandhi was taken when she met him during the Bharat Jodo Yatra to submit a memorandum on farmers’ issues. Reaffirming her resolve, More said she is a fighter, remains a BJP worker, and is committed to working for Hindutva.
Ahead of the high-stakes Pune civic polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dropped local leader Pooja More from its candidate list, a decision that has triggered intense political discussion within Maharashtra’s political circles. According to party sources, the move was linked to her past remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack, which resurfaced during the ticket-selection process and reportedly drew the attention of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The development has added a new layer of controversy to the Pune elections, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of internal inconsistency, while the ruling party maintains that the decision reflects its zero-tolerance approach toward sensitive national security issues.
Pooja More, who was considered a strong local contender with organisational backing at the ward level, had earlier made comments related to the Pahalgam attack that were later flagged by party leaders as inappropriate and politically damaging. While the remarks were not recent, their circulation on social media and internal party feedback reportedly raised red flags during the final review of candidates.
Sources within the BJP suggest that the party leadership did not want to risk electoral backlash or reputational damage at a time when national security and terrorism remain sensitive issues for voters. The matter is said to have reached the Chief Minister’s office, following which the decision was taken to deny More the ticket.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who plays a key role in election strategy and candidate vetting in Maharashtra, has consistently stressed the importance of discipline and responsibility in public statements, especially on matters related to terrorism and national security.
While there has been no official statement directly naming Pooja More, senior BJP leaders have indicated that the party could not afford to send mixed signals to voters. “Our candidates must reflect the party’s core values. Remarks on sensitive issues are taken seriously, regardless of when they were made,” a senior BJP functionary said.
The opposition was quick to seize on the development, accusing the BJP of selective action and internal contradictions. Leaders from rival parties claimed the ticket denial exposed factionalism within the BJP and questioned why similar scrutiny was not applied uniformly across party ranks.
“This is not about accountability, but internal power struggles,” an opposition leader alleged, adding that the BJP was attempting damage control ahead of closely contested polls.
However, BJP leaders dismissed these claims, arguing that the party’s action demonstrated political responsibility rather than weakness.
The denial of a ticket to Pooja More has reshaped local political equations in parts of Pune, where she had a visible presence. Party workers are now tasked with consolidating support behind the newly announced candidate, while managing discontent among sections loyal to More.
Political analysts say such last-minute changes can influence voter sentiment, especially in urban civic elections where candidate familiarity and grassroots work play a significant role.
Beyond the immediate electoral implications, the decision is being viewed as a strong internal message within the BJP. Party insiders believe it reinforces the leadership’s stance that past statements, social media activity, and public conduct can directly impact political careers.
In recent years, political parties across India have faced criticism over controversial remarks by leaders. The BJP’s move in this case appears aimed at projecting a disciplined image and avoiding controversies that could overshadow its campaign narrative.
