Journalism of Courage
Independent MLA Mahesh Landge from Bhosari has tendered his resignation from both the primary membership of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as well as his position as a corporator in the cash-rich Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Landge refused to confirm reports that he was likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying he will soon unveil his cards.
Confirming his resignation, Landge however refused to say anything more.
“I will open my cards soon enough,” he said. Landge claimed that he had the support of many sitting corporators who would follow his lead in politics.
While Landge had submitted his resignation to the office of municipal commissioner Sanjog Waghere of the PCMC, the NCP chief denied any knowledge about it.
Highly placed sources in the BJP said Landge might join the party as early as Friday. Landge’s induction will come as a shot in the arm for the BJP.
The ruling NCP faces a tough challenge from the BJP as two of its strongmen — Landge and Chinchwad MLA Laxman Jagtap — have left its fold. Landge had praise for the chief minister, Laxman Jagtap and district guardian minister Girish Bapat for their “positive stance” towards Bhosari issues. He also said 46 of his supporters are ready to contest the election from Bhosari.
Landge had rebelled against the NCP and contested the 2014 Assembly elections as an independent candidate.
He was a sitting NCP corporator and had not resigned from his position as the chairman of the standing committee of the PCMC.
Landge’s rebellion had resulted in the defeat of NCP strongman Vilas Lande, who was the sitting MLA from Bhosari.
Lande had in turn rebelled against the NCP in 2009 and won election as an independent candidate.
The 2009 civic elections had seen Lande ensuring NCP’s sweep in the Bhosari area and his wife Mohini was elected as the mayor of the civic body.
