As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) city unit has sparked controversy with its campaign to paint lotus symbols, the party’s poll emblem, on public walls. However, the opposition, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SCP) led by Sharadchandra Pawar and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), has strongly objected to the defacement of public spaces and is demanding stringent action against the BJP’s initiative.
Opposition’s Reaction and Previous Incidents:
In response to the lotus paintings adorning various areas of the city, opposition parties, particularly the NCP, have launched agitations, condemning the BJP for defacing public places. The Shiv Sena, in a previous incident, had erected banners criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to their removal following a formal complaint by the BJP.
Controversial Saffron-Coloured Lotus Paintings:
The saffron-coloured lotus paintings have become a visible presence in several areas, including the Peth areas, as part of the BJP’s pre-election strategy. Slogans like ‘Abki Bar Charsau Par’ have been prominently displayed on public properties and flyovers.
Opposition’s Allegations Against PMC Administration:
NCP city unit president Prashant Jagtap raised concerns about the perceived bias in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) administration’s actions. He stated, “The PMC administration is working under pressure, and they are avoiding action against these advertisements. The administration is acting against opposition parties but not the ruling BJP.”
Municipal Commissioner and BJP’s Response:
Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar declined to comment on the issue when approached for a response. City BJP leaders, meanwhile, were unavailable for comments at the time of reporting.
