The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has withdrawn Pooja More-Jadhav’s candidature in the Pune civic polls following opposition from party workers.
The BJP had earlier announced Pooja More as its candidate from Ward No. 2. However, the decision sparked backlash within the party, with several BJP workers openly opposing her candidature.
Objections have been raised to her past statements, including her initial reaction after the Pahalgam attack and earlier remarks critical of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Old videos and posts resurfaced on social media, leading to intense trolling and a sustained campaign by party workers against her nomination.
Union minister and BJP MP from Pune Murlidhar Mohol confirmed that her nomination has been withdrawn.
“A victim of social media trolls”
More-Jadhav described herself as a victim of social media trolls. After withdrawing her nomination with reporters, More-Jadhav shared details of her personal and political journey, saying that she came from a very humble background and faced years of struggles. She said she moved to Pune after marrying Dhananjay Jadhav and was actively involved in farmer movements.
“I faced police batons, criminal cases and frequent court visits. There were times when I didn’t even have money to fight legal cases, but I never gave up,” she said.
She claimed that misinformation was being spread about her. “They tried to portray that I don’t believe in the ideology of BJP. I have consciously decided to withdraw my nomination in view of the trolling,” she said.
She also claimed that “some other girl” wrote the comments, but the trolls attributed it to her.
Photographs with Rahul Gandhi
She also criticized a photograph of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying the picture was taken when she met him during the Bharat Jodo Yatra to present a memorandum regarding farmers’ issues.
Reiterating her commitment to the party, Pooja More said she remains a BJP worker. “I am a fighter. I will continue to work for the BJP and remain committed to Hindutva,” she said.
