Political Drama In Pune : BJP and NCP Clash Over ST Bus Inauguration in Bhor

The controversy centers around the arrival of five new ST buses at the Bhor ST bus depot. Political tensions flared after BJP leader Sangram Thopte and NCP MLA Shankar Mandekar each conducted separate inauguration ceremonies for the same bus—just hours apart.

According to sources, the official inauguration was scheduled for Thursday at 9 a.m., where MLA Shankar Mandekar was expected to preside. However, BJP leader Sangram Thopte conducted his own ceremony an hour earlier, at 8 a.m., pre-empting the scheduled event.

This act drew sharp criticism from Mandekar, who accused Thopte of undermining the unity within the Mahayuti (Grand Alliance) coalition. "As part of a united alliance, such inaugurations should be carried out in coordination with current office bearers," Mandekar stated, expressing his displeasure. He further claimed that he had been following up for months to secure the buses for Bhor and possessed documentary evidence of his efforts.

In response, Thopte's supporters took to social media to credit their leader with securing the buses for the town, escalating the dispute further. Activists from both camps are now publicly promoting their respective leaders' roles in the matter.

The dual inaugurations have exposed the deepening rift within the ruling coalition, with implications for local governance and party unity. Commenting on the broader political implications, Mandekar remarked, "Grassroots workers like us believe both Pawars—Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar—should reconcile. Whatever decision they take, we will support it."

The incident highlights how competition for credit, even within allied political groups, can quickly turn ceremonial events into battlegrounds, reflecting underlying tensions in Maharashtra’s political landscape.