Study in political contrast: Cong - BJP
| Date :11-Jun-2019 |
By Vikas Vaidya:
Smarting under a massive electoral defeat in the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency less than a month ago, groups of the Congress party in the city are engaged in factional war, refusing to learn right lessons from the setback. In sharp contrast, despite their resounding victory, the BJP rank and file are engaged in a detailed analysis of what happened in the Lok Sabha contest, and how they would consolidate themselves for the ensuing elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly later this year. Here is an interesting study:
Congress candidate for Nagpur LS Constituency Nana Patole addressing Samiksha Baithak at Gurudev Seva Mandal.
Even in defeat they are divided Despite tall claims made by Congress and its supporters before the Lok Sabha elections in Nagpur, it had to bite the dust. It had argued that election was fought with all the groups working shoulder to shoulder. But its claim of unity got exposed during the so-called ‘Samiksha’ or review of defeat meeting that was held Sunday night at Gurudev Seva Mandal. Not a single known leader of Congress attended this review meeting, ‘The Hitavada’ has learnt. This meeting has brought to the fore several loopholes in city Congress.
Though the meeting was convened by Congress Vichar Janjagruti Abhiyaan and not by Congress Committee, it had invited all the leaders for the review. Tanveer Ahmed, ex-Corporator claimed that the meeting was convened to review the defeat of Congress in Nagpur. He also informed this Correspondent that meeting was attended by both the groups-- those loyal to Satish Chaturvedi and those to Vilas Muttemwar. Contrary to what Ahmed argued, neither Vikas Thakre, a Muttemwar loyalist nor Praful Gudadhe, of Chaturvedi faction was aware of the meeting. Even Tanaji Wanve, present Leader of Opposition in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) considered to be a Chaturvedi loyalist, too, was surprised when asked about the meeting.
When ‘The Hitavada’ contacted Vikas Thakre, President of Nagpur City Congress, he said that he was not aware of the meeting as he had gone to Mumbai to attend a meeting convened by Ashok Chavan, President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. He further stated, “In fact, we have planned a meeting where we will not review the defeat but we will take a stock of all the six Assembly constituencies in Nagpur ahead of upcoming State Assembly elections. I am going to convene this meeting.” Nana Patole, the defeated Congress candidate, did not respond to repeated calls and later his phone was found switched off. Praful Gudadhe, too, did not know about the meeting. When contacted, he said that such a meeting was never planned.
Even after victory they are analysing A peep into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) camp revealed a serious engagement of leaders and workers in detailed analysis of booth-wise conduct of voters. The BJP went into a huddle at its Regional Office in Dhantoli to know what went right and what did not. Booth by booth, page by page of the electoral roles, the analysis went on. The idea was clear: the challenge of the Vidhan Sabha elections was very much round the bend. So, how should the rank and file behave, was the issue. BJP conducted a meeting on Monday to analyse the election and preparations of upcoming elections at Regional office at Dhantoli. It planned to start restructuring of party booths. The meeting was held in the presence of City BJP’s Organisational Secretary Dr Upendra Kothekar. All the top leaders of city BJP unit including its President Sudhakar Kohale, Sudhakar Deshmukh, MLA; Prof Anil Sole, MLC; Girish Vyas, MLC; Krishna Khopde, MLA; Vikas Kumbhare, MLA; Dr Milind Mane, MLA; Nanda Jichkar, Mayor, Pravin Datke, ex-Mayor; Sandip Joshi, Leader of Ruling Party in NMC; Bhojraj Dumbe were present. The meeting decided to examine every minute detail of all the six Assembly constituencies and deploy right volunteers with proper planning.