BJP Fields Gangster's Wife in Pune Polls, Sparks Row

• BJP nominates Swati Sharad Mohol, wife of deceased gangster Sharad Mohol, for Pune Municipal Corporation elections from Kothrud Ward No. 11.
• This move follows NCP's trend of fielding candidates with criminal backgrounds, drawing criticism from common people and social media.
• Sharad Mohol, leader of the Mohol gang, had a notorious criminal record including murder, extortion, and kidnapping, and was killed in a gang war.
• Swati Mohol joined BJP in 2023 in the presence of Minister Chandrakant Patil, facing opposition criticism even then.
• The nomination sets up a fierce contest in Kothrud, raising questions about how old party workers and voters will react.

Why It Matters: BJP's nomination of a gangster's wife for Pune polls mirrors NCP's controversial trend, sparking debate.