Amit Shah To Unveil Bajirao Peshwa Statue At NDA; Packed Schedule Ahead In Pune Visit

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Pune on Thursday night for a one-day visit packed with key events across the city on Friday.

One of the highlights of his visit will be the unveiling of a 13.5-foot-tall bronze statue of Shreemant Thorle Bajirao Peshwa at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla.

The Shreemath Thorle Bajirao Peshwa Pratishthan has donated the 4,000-kg statue, marking a significant cultural moment for the historic institution.

The event will see the presence of several top dignitaries, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, and Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil.

During his visit to the NDA, the Home Minister will likely interact with cadets, underlining the government’s continuing engagement with defence institutions.

Following the NDA ceremony, Shah will inaugurate the Jairaj Sports and Convention Centre at Kondhwa. He will also visit Balasaheb Deora Hospital at Khadi Machine Chowk before heading to Wadachiwadi, where he will lay the foundation stone for the proposed Health City project.

Traffic restrictions and management

To ensure smooth traffic movement during the Home Minister’s visit, the Pune district administration has issued special directives.

Movement of heavy vehicles, including dumpers, trucks, and mixers, will be restricted between Mantarwadi Phata, Khadi Machine Chowk, and Katraj Chowk from 12 PM to 5 PM on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav has also announced traffic flow modifications, including temporary two-way conversions on select stretches.

This visit marks Amit Shah’s fifth trip to Maharashtra in recent months and his first since the appointment of Ravindra Chavan as the new BJP state president on 1 July.

With civic and local body elections looming in October-November, the BJP is positioning Shah’s presence as part of its larger strategy to consolidate its position in the state and energise its cadre.

During his previous visits, the Home Minister has repeatedly called on party workers to prepare for the polls and ensure the MahaYuti alliance’s continued success.

Shah’s recent Maharashtra engagements include a Pune stop on 22 February, a tribute visit to Raigad Fort on 12 April, multi-city programs in Nagpur, Nanded, and Mumbai on 26–27 May, and the inauguration of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture’s new office in Mumbai on 20 June.

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