PUNE: There are banners such as 'Remove Modi; Save the country!' mounted across the cityscape. It is still uncertain who is responsible for these flexes planted all over town. However, one thing is certain: the mercury is certainly not just rising due to the onset of summer. The political stratosphere has definitely heated up too!

What makes this series of political posturing even more significant is the fact that BJP stalwart and Pune City MP Girish Bapat passed away on Wednesday. In the wake of his demise, in a rare show of solidarity, leaders cut across party lines to pay glowing tributes to him while mourning his loss. 

So the  question that arises now is that are these flexes that have been mounted across the city a day after MP Bapat's demise, is skin to setting up the stage for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election?  

However, since no information or names have cropped up about who mounted these banners, it is being speculated within the hallowed corridors of power that it can only be perceived as an opportunistic move. 

In the interim, BJP has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged challenged the opposition to come forward and fight the political and ideological battles instead of indulging in clandestine propaganda.

What's next? Only time will tell. Till then watch this space for more news.