Kawade supporters irked over Gavai’s style of functioning

NAGPUR, NOV 5: A tussle is on within the Republican Party of India (RPI) over the style of functioning of the RPI chief and the Rajya Sabh...

NAGPUR, NOV 5: A tussle is on within the Republican Party of India (RPI) over the style of functioning of the RPI chief and the Rajya Sabha member, R S Gavai.

A section of RPI activists, most of them supporters of fiery general secretary of the party — Jogendra Kawade — took a strong exception over the reported statement of Gavai that he was not aware of the proposed `long march’ of the party, from Khamgaon to Amgaon to be launched by Kawade soon, to press the demand for the statehood of Vidarbha.

Talking to mediapersons here on Thursday, the Rajya Sabha member made it clear that his party would not launch any militant agitation on the separate Vidarbha issue. However, the party would be committed with its stand on the separate Vidarbha state.

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While rediculing the agitation of Kawade, the RPI chief said that he was not taken into confidence on the issue of proposed long march from Khamgaon to Amgaon.

Jagdish Thool, a staunch supporter of Kawade and vice-president of Maharashtra unit of RPI, pointed out that the decision to support the separate Vidarbha issue was taken in a meeting, held at Bangalore on May 1 last. Gavai presided over the meeting and the senior party leader and Madhya Pradesh minister, Domansinh Nagpure was present on the occasion.

According to him, the recent statement of Gavai on the issue of separate Vidarbha has created confusion among the RPI workers. "Gavai should know his limitation. He was made the party president and subsequently nominated to the Rajya Sabha due to the active support of Kawade and his associates," he reminded.

He demanded that Gavai should make an apology for his reported statement against Kawade. "If he fails to do so he will be expelled from the party for six years," Thool thundered.

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The RPI leader also questioned the golden jubilee celebrations of the Indian constitution from January 26, 2000 to January 26, 2001 without taking into the confidence of central leadership.

He said that the Gavai supporter, Haridas Tembhurne, chalked out the recent programme of RPI chief without an approval of working committee of the local unit of the organisation. "Tembhurne should be expelled from the party for six years for his autocratic style of functioning", he demanded.

The recent development in the party has given an enough indication that Gavai and Kawade are not in good terms. This may even lead another split in the RPI in near future. Ironically, the RPI (Gavai faction) is talking for unification of all splinter groups of RPIs in the country.

According to insiders, Kawade was unhappy to the style of functioning of Gavai. He was not taken into confidence in several crucial issues of the party. Besides, Kawade took a strong exception over the alleged hostile attitude of Gavai for the nomination of Kawade to the state legislative council from the Congress quota. It was assured by the Congress leadership during the last Lok Sabha elections that the party would nominate Gavai in the Rajya Sabha while Kawade would be given the party nomination for the council seat. Gavai was nominated to the Rajya Sabha while Kawade was not nominated to the council from the Congress quota. It was alleged that Gavai deliberately did not assert in this regard.

When contacted, Kawade was not available for comment.