MLC polls: Bawankule to file papers today

 

 

 

Sunday saw some hectic political activities with respect to the elections to Maharashtra Legislative Council from Nagpur Local Authorities’ Constituency. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Chandrashekhar Bawankule, former Energy Minister, will file nomination papers on Monday and party leaders held discussions accordingly. Congress held its meeting on Sunday, and is likely to announce its candidate on Monday. As per the election programme announced by Election Commission of India, the last date for filing nominations is November 23 (Tuesday). Polling is scheduled on December 10, and the results will be announced after counting of votes on December 14. Presently, Girish Vyas of BJP represents Nagpur Local Authorities’ Constituency seat in Legislative Council.

 

He is set to retire on January 1, 2022. BJP has decided to field Bawankule this time from the constituency. Bawankule will file his nomination papers at District Collector office, after a rally from Akashwani Square at 10.30 am on Monday in presence of Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways; Devendra Fadnavis, former Chief Minister and currently Leader of Opposition (Assembly); and Adv Sulekha Kumbhare, Founder of Bahujan Republican Ekta Manch. Bawankule, a prominent OBC face of BJP, was denied ticket during Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections held in 2019. However, later on, he was entrusted with the task of strengthening party organisation and was given the responsibility as State General Secretary. The former Guardian Minister of Nagpur district also led several agitations of the party. Meanwhile, Congress party is yet to announce its candidate. Vikas Thakre, MLA and Congress city chief; Rajendra Mulak, District President; Adv Abhijit Wanjari, MLC; and several other leaders of the party held a meeting. According to party insiders, the party was considering two names. One of these names is Rajendra Mulak, former MLC and former Minister of State. However, the other name is political surprise. That name is of Dr Ravindra Bhoyar, BJP corporator and former Deputy Mayor and another prominent OBC face. For past some days, the name of Dr Ravindra alias Chhotu Bhoyar has been doing the rounds.

 

The man who has been with BJP for 30 years, has not been happy for past some time. Sources close to him said that he hoped that BJP would consider him for MLC before youngsters in the party. “I shall announce my stand on Monday,” he told ‘The Hitavada’ when asked about the talk of Congress fielding him against Bawankule. He neither denied nor confirmed the development of Congress considering him as its candidate. Vikas Thakre also preferred to keep mum. Without naming Congress candidate, Thakre said, “Our candidate will file nomination papers on Tuesday.” Before filing nomination papers, BJP has organised a rally in support of Bawankule.

 

A host of party leaders including Pravin Datke, city chief and MLC and in-charge of this election; Dr Rajiv Potdar, deputy election in-charge; Dr Vikas Mahatme, Rajya Sabha Member; Ajay Sancheti, former MP; Arvind Gajbhiye, District President of BJP; legislators Tekchand Sawarkar, Sameer Meghe, Girish Vyas, Krishna Khopde, Vikas Kumbhare, Mohan Mate, Nago Ganar; Dayashankar Tiwari, Mayor; Manisha Dhawde, Deputy Mayor; Avinash Thakre, Ruling Party Leader in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC); Prakash Bhoyar, Chairman of NMC Standing Committee; former legislators Sudhakar Deshmukh, Prof Anil Sole, Sudhakar Kohale, Dr Milind Mane, Mallikarjun Reddy, Sudhir Parwe, Ashok Mankar; Ramesh Mankar, former President of Zilla Parishad; Charan Thakur, and others will participate in rally. bbbbbbbbbbbbb Dr Bhoyar resigns from BJP In a late night development on Sunday, Dr Ravindra alias Chhotu Bhoyar tendered resignation from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a two-line resignation, he mentioned that he was resigning from primary membership of BJP due to ‘personal reasons’. He addressed the letter to Pravin Datke, BJP city chief and MLC. Dr Bhoyar’s resignation from BJP only added to the speculations that he would join Congress party on Monday. It further fuelled the speculations of Congress fielding Dr Bhoyar as its candidate for MLC elections.