Tags:
Journalism of Courage
PUNE, Aug 20: Known for an array of political stalwarts, the Ahmednagar district currently is witnessing power-savvy political operators switching their loyalties, to ensure the existence of their own fiefdoms.
Incidentally there are more rebellions in the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance as compared to the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
After the formation of the NCP, Ramdas Dhumal, former chairman of Rahuri Cooperative Sugar Factory, had joined the party. However he was disappointed when he was not given the NCP ticket to contest the Rahuri Assembly seat. Although he has no plans to contest the elections, it is certain that he will work to ensure the victory of Raosaheb Sable, chairman of Rahuri Sugar Factory, who is the official nominee of the Congress for the Assembly constituency, according to sources.
In Pathardi constituency, Chandrakant Mhaske has revolted against the official Congress nominee and Sambhaji Kale in Kopargaon is also likely to follow suit. Barring these exceptions, the NCP and Congress have not experienced much rebellion.
Suryabhan Wahadane, senior BJP leader, has played an important role in strengthening his party in the district. Last year, BJP district general secretary Dilip Gandhi and others had revolted against Wahadane. Subsequently, Gandhi and others were issued show cause notices. Later, the revolt subsided but resentment against Wahadane had persisted.
During the by-election to the Rahuri Assembly constituency last year, Wahadane supported Chandrakant Kadam’s candidature for Rahuri Assembly constituency although Raosaheb Sabale was interested for the post. Sabale left the BJP and joined the Congress Party last week when this time, too, the BJP chose Kadam for the Rahuri seat. Now Sabale is contesting as a official nominee of the Congress in the same constituency.
In Ahmednagar (South) Lok Sabha constituency, suddenly Ghanashyam Shelar was chosen as the BJP nominee. Shelar is a supporter of Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, Legislative Council Chairman N S Pharande and Wahadane. Announcement of his candidature caused strong resentment especially among the supporters of Dilip Gandhi. These workers openly expressed their resentment against Wahadane and ultimately, the party high command was forced to give its candidature to Gandhi in place of Shelar. This development is considered as a setback to the Wahadane faction.
In Shiv Sena, many supporters of Balasaheb Vikhe and Radhakrishna Vikhe have revolted against the party nominees. Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray had given party tickets to those who have been with the party for many years. The supporters of Vikhe who have joined the party recently were not treated on par with loyalists. Nandkumar Zaware, a staunch supporter of Vikhe family, who was denied Shiv Sena ticket has revolted against the party nominee in Parner seat.
Balasaheb Vikhe, a veteran Parliamentarian, had suggested a Vikhe pattern’ to BJP-Shiv Sena alliance for selecting party candidates. He felt that the alliance should give nominations to the same party in both Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies. This formula was rejected by the alliance leadership and therefore, the alliance is facing revolt in the district.
