Meet Your MP: Murlidhar Mohol, Pune Lok Sabha
Reported By: Varad Bhatkhande
Pune, 5th June 2024: On 4th June, Mahayuti Candidate Murlidhar Mohol from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defeated Mahavikas Aghadi Candidate and Kasba Peth MLA Ravindra Dhangekar from the Indian National Congress by a margin of 1,22,762 votes. Mohol secured 5,84,171 votes to win the Pune Lok Sabha Constituency. The contest between Mohol and Dhangekar was anticipated to be fierce, with a third challenge from Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi candidate Vasant More. Yesterday, Mohol emerged as the newly elected Pune Lok Sabha candidate.
Since independence, Pune was considered a fortress of Congress, but recently, it has been dominated by the BJP, which has won this seat for the third consecutive time. In 2014 and 2019, the late MP Girish Bapat dominated the elections; however, he died on 29th March 2023, at the age of 72. Following his death, by-elections were not conducted, and his protégé, Murlidhar Mohol, was announced as the candidate from Pune BJP.
Personal Life
Murlidhar Kisan Mohol was born on 9th November 1974 in Mutha Village of Mulshi Taluka, Pune. His family moved to Kothrud in 1985. A former wrestler, Mohol went to Kolhapur to practice wrestling, during which he received his bachelor’s degree in Arts from Shivaji University. Mohol is married and has two daughters.
Political Portfolio
The newly elected MP of Pune, Murlidhar Mohol, has also served as the Mayor of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) from November 2019, replacing BJP’s Mukta Tilak, and held the position until the tenure of all corporators ended in 2022. Mohol was elected as a corporator from Ward 12 C of PMC, which is in the Kothrud area. Politically, Mohol has maintained good relations with senior BJP leaders in Maharashtra, including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and State President Chandrashekar Bawankule, which significantly contributed to his nomination. Mohol has also been a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the past. With over 30 years of experience in politics, he has served multiple terms as a corporator for PMC and was also the General Secretary of BJP Maharashtra State.
Net Worth
BJP candidate Murlidhar Mohol’s affidavit for the Pune Lok Sabha constituency election reveals his total wealth is Rs. 24.32 crore, with Rs. 14.85 crore in debt. He has Rs. 5.27 crore in movable property, including minimal cash holdings for himself (Rs. 9,192) and his wife (Rs. 1.21 lakh). Bank deposits are Rs. 66.74 lakh for Mohol, Rs. 2.71 lakh for his wife, and smaller amounts for his daughters. His immovable property is worth Rs. 19.05 crore, comprising land in Mutha, Kasar Amboli, Bhugaon, and Yeruli villages, and a bungalow in Kothrud, Pune, valued at Rs. 5.47 crore. Mohol’s assets also include gold jewelry worth Rs. 29.45 lakh, a vehicle valued at Rs. 22.14 lakh, and shares worth Rs. 3.96 crore, culminating in a total wealth of Rs. 24.32 crore.
After winning the Lok Sabha elections, Mohol said, “I dedicate my victory to the late BJP MP Girish Bapat. In the future, roads, airport and metro expansion, PMPML empowerment, and the issues mentioned in the manifesto will be addressed. In particular, both the Cantonment Boards will be pursued for inclusion in PMC.”
In an interview with Punekar News, Murlidhar Mohol stated, “My guarantee is I’ll make Pune the best city in the country.”
