Major setback for NCP’s Yogesh Behl as long-time rival Yashwant Bhosale joins BJP

Bhosale joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chinchwad MLA Laxman Jagtap in Mumbai last week. After joining BJP, Bhosale wasted no time in challenging Behl and said he would ensure that Behl is defeated. “I have lost against him in all the past elections, but this time I have full support from strong BJP leaders like MLAs Laxman Jagtap and Mahesh Landge. Both the leaders are popular in Sant Tukaramnagar and Kasarwadi areas. Their support will certainly go a long way in defeating Behl,” said Bhosale.

Citing apathy of NCP towards contract labourers as the reason for him leaving the party, Bhosale said, “Despite the High Court and Supreme Court orders, the NCP-led PCMC refused to give justice to 572 contract labourers who were sacked from civic services. I have been fighting the case for them for 15 years. Despite being in NCP, I could not get just for the poor labourers,” he said. Bhosale said the BJP has shown serious purpose in resolving the problems of the sacked labourers.

“They have not asked me to join the party. In fact, when they showed their seriousness to resolve the issue of labourers, I decided to join the BJP,” he said. Since 1992, Bhosale has won from Sant Tukaramnagar ward only once, that too against other opponent and not Behl. “It should be remembered that I lost by little margins. It will not happen this time,” he said, exuding confidence. Bhosale, a labour leader.

Though the NCP camp is rattled and Behl himself not sounding confident for the first time, he put on a brave front. “I have defeated him four times in the past, I will do it again,” Behl said.

The Bhosale camp said Behl would not be accepted by “gaon-wallahs” (villagers) in Kasarwadi. “Both Jagtap and Landge have good following in Kasarwadi area. They will surely campaign for Bhosale which will spell trouble for Behl,” said a Bhosale follower. Sarang Kamtekar, general secretary of Pimpri-Chinchwad, said Bhosale was a prize catch for the party. “He will most likely take on Behl from Sant Tukaramnagar-Kasarwadi area. He has been specially roped in to unseat Behl,” he said.

Behl said he was not worried. “After Bhosale was roped in by BJP, other leaders who were aspirants from Sant Tukaramnagar area, are upset with the party. They will surely not support Bhosale as they had put in lot of work for the party but now feel being neglected,” he said.

Behl and Jagtap relations have soured of late. Both were close to Ajit Pawar before Jagtap embraced BJP. BJP leaders said Jagtap is going all out to ensure Behl’s defeat. “Yes, we are not on talking terms…,” said Behl.