In a sudden turn of events ahead of the Pune civic polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dropped its candidate after old videos resurfaced in which he reportedly criticized party leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The development comes amid widespread backlash on social media, with netizens accusing the candidate of being disloyal to the party.
The BJP confirmed the decision on Monday, stating that the videos, though old, created a “negative perception” that could impact the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections. Party sources added that the candidate had become “a victim of social media trolls” and that the decision to drop him was taken after careful deliberation.
According to reports, the videos in question date back several years, during which the candidate had made remarks that were critical of Fadnavis’s policies. With the clips circulating widely online, local party workers and supporters expressed concern that the controversy could distract from the party’s campaign efforts.
Political analysts say the incident highlights the growing influence of social media on electoral politics. “Old content, even if years old, can surface at any time and influence public perception. Parties are increasingly cautious in screening candidates’ past statements,” said a Pune-based political analyst.
The BJP has announced a replacement candidate for the constituency and stated that the new nominee will represent the party’s commitment to unity and discipline. Meanwhile, opposition parties have criticized the BJP for what they called “internal disarray,” even as the party continues its campaign in Pune.
With the civic polls approaching, the party aims to maintain focus on voter outreach and development issues, while ensuring that social media controversies do not derail its electoral strategy.
