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Journalism of Courage
Not all is going well for Ajit Pawar’s NCP fation as the party’s Pune unit chief Deepak Mankar has threatened to step down from his post alleging that the party leadership did not take him into account for membership to the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Mankar also accused the party leadership of applying different rules for Maharashtra NCP women chief Roopali Chakankar, alleging that the NCP extended her tenure as chairperson of the state women commission.
“I have been working hard to strengthen the party in the city…however, if my contribution is not recognised, and I get ignored for membership to the Maharashtra Legislative Council, then I will step down and work only as a party worker,” said Mankar.
The NCP nominated Pankaj Bhujbal, son of minister Chhagan Bhujbal, and Idris Naikwadi as members of legislative council from the Governor quota and administered oath on Tuesday.
“I don’t know on what criteria the two were selected. Their names were not even in the list of probable candidates. If the posts are given only to family members of leaders, then what will the party cadre hope for,” said Mankar.
Many of NCP‘s office-bearers in Pune submitted their resignation after Mankar was ignored for council membership. “It was a spontaneous reaction and is well understood. I will discuss and inform the party leadership that we will step down but not leave the party, despite getting offers from other parties,” said Mankar.
If the NCP cadre decides not to cooperate, it will adversely impact Mahayuti’s performance in the upcoming elections, said Mankar adding that the BJP very well knows about the contribution of the NCP during the Lok Sabha elections.
Mankar alleged the party leaders were swift to extend the tenure of chairperson of Maharashtra Women Commission Chakankar, who is already the party’s Maharashtra chief for the women wing.
NCP leader Roopali Patil Thombare too raised objections after Chakankar’s name was floated for membership to the state legislative council sttaing why the party was giving multiple posts to a single person when there are many eligible candidates in the party.
