Bike rally turns viral as Fadnavis faces weight trolling, political heat in Nagpur

NAGPUR: What was meant to be a last-day burst of campaign energy has turned into a digital flashpoint. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ bike rally through Nagpur, aimed at signalling momentum and voter connect, has exploded online, drawing applause, sharp political reactions and a wave of trolling that included personal jibes about his weight.

Ditching the usual convoy, Fadnavis rode through crowded streets on a motorcycle, greeting supporters and projecting accessibility in the final hours of campaigning. The visuals — raw, high-octane and unmistakably political, spread rapidly across social media, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about moments of the day.

But as the clips travelled beyond the rally route, the narrative shifted. While BJP supporters celebrated the move as bold and relatable, critics and rival voices moved swiftly, filling timelines with sarcastic memes, mocking commentary and pointed personal remarks, turning a planned show of strength into a wider political and social media debate.

Several posts questioned whether the spectacle reflected leadership or image management, while others slipped into body-shaming, prompting uncomfortable questions about how political discourse is increasingly playing out online. Though there is no evidence of any organised or coordinated trolling campaign, the sheer volume of reaction was enough to dominate the digital conversation around the Chief Minister’s rally.

“The ground response and the online response are no longer the same conversation,” said a senior political observer. “A rally can energise cadres on the street, but on social media, optics are judged instantly, and often brutally.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=O1byirU58JUXI6qQ&v=PnCO5xUWjeU&feature=youtu.be