Pune gears up for PM Modi’s high-energy campaign rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold an election rally in Pune on Tuesday at the SP College ground. The rally, set for 5 pm, aims to support the Mahayuti candidates from Pune and the nearby Pimpri-Chinchwad area. Observers are particularly eager to see if Modi will shift his strategy and personally target NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

So far, Modi has avoided directly attacking Pawar in his Maharashtra assembly campaign. This change is notable, as his earlier remarks during the Lok Sabha elections, particularly his “Bhatakti Aatma” comment, hurt the Mahayuti’s performance in some areas. NCP leaders used this remark against Modi, with Pawar humorously responding that the “atma” would continue to haunt Modi.

Murlidhar Mohol, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, hopes that Modi’s rally will boost the morale of Mahayuti candidates in Western Maharashtra, which holds 58 seats across five districts. Out of 21 seats in Pune city and district, 18 are currently held by Mahayuti.

In past rallies, Modi has focused on criticizing Congress for its alleged corruption, caste-based politics, and disrespect for the Constitution, rather than directly targeting Pawar. This shift in approach could mark a new chapter in his campaign strategy.