Cong faces rebellion in assembly segments

PUNE, AUG 25: Even after frantic efforts to please all factions while distributing Assembly tickets, fissures in the city unit of Congres...

PUNE, AUG 25: Even after frantic efforts to please all factions while distributing Assembly tickets, fissures in the city unit of Congress surfaced on the last day of filing of nomination papers yesterday, with the party facing a formidable challenge from the rebel candidates in at least three assembly segments.

The large-scale resentment in Bhavani Peth Assembly segment was evident yesterday when former minister and senior leader Prakash Dhere and three party corporators revolted against the official candidate. In neighbouring Parvati segment, former deputy mayor and staunch Kalmadi supporter Hiraman Shinde has taken up the flag of revolt, while another former deputy mayor Nandu Moze filed his papers against official party candidate.

The Congress candidates in the three remaining Assembly constituencies 8212; Shivajinagar, Kasba Peth and Pune Cantonment, however, are not facing any problem from the rebels. Razzak Khan, an independent corporator and again a Kalmadi supporter, has also surprised the party byfiling nomination papers for the Lok Sabha.

Senior leader Prakash Dhere, who was a strong aspirant for Bhavani Peth, decided to file the papers after holding discussions with his supporters on Tuesday morning. Interestingly, Dhere has filed the papers as nominee of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and also as an Independent. Speculation was rife in political circles that Dhere would be the NCP candidate. However, former mayor Ulhas Dhole-Patil filed the papers as NCP candidate.

Besides Dhere, three corporators belonging either to or having an alliance with the Congress have revolted. They are Razzak Khan, Anis Sundke and Sadanad Shetty. All these corporators are known Kalmadi supporters. Sayyed Afsar of RPI, that has an alliance with the Congress, has also filed his papers.

In Parvati constituency, MPCC finally decided to nominate Kalmadi loyalist Ramesh Bagwe after his ticket was cancelled on Monday night. Kalmadi took a personal interest in ensuring that Bagwe would be renominated bycontacting leaders in Delhi. Former MLA Sharad Ranpise, whose candidature was cleared by AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes, was told by MPCC chief Prataprao Bhosale this morning not to file his papers, after another general secretary Madhavrao Scindia told him that Bagwe was the official candidate.

Angry, Ranpise later accused Kalmadi of ensuring party candidates8217; defeat by encouraging manipulative politics. Addressing a press conference, Ranpise held Kalmadi responsible for cancellation of his ticket. He alleged that Kalmadi had disappointed all the classes including Muslims, Marathas, Neo-Buddhists and OBCs, because of his politics. Ranpise said he would strengthen the hands of Sonia Gandhi, but maintained a studied silence when asked whether he would campaign as the party candidate in Parvati segment.

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Staunch Kalmadi follower Hiraman Shinde has also filed nomination papers against Bagwe. Shinde supporters raised slogans against Kalmadi when he arrived to file the papers. Shinde is said to be angrybecause Bagwe had left Kalmadi8217;s Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi even before its official merging into Congress.

In Bopodi constituency also, party candidate Chandrakant Chhajed will be facing former deputy mayor and rebel candidate Nandu Moze, who is also a member of the loyalist camp.

Meanwhile, the local party leaders have undertaken hectic efforts to pacify the rebel candidates.