BJP’s shock tactics Prominent names not given tickets

 

 

 

It seems that municipal elections in Nagpur may be more surprising than ever. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) used shock tactics while giving tickets to the candidates. For the first time it did not declare the list of names of the candidates. Instead the coordinators called the candidates at the office of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and handed over AB forms. Secondly, those who had served as corporators for three to four terms were hit the hardest. Those who did not get tickets include staunch supporters of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Nitin Gadkari. The corporators who were given a jolt by the BJP primarily include Sanjay Bangale, a staunch supporter of the Chief Minister and former trustee of the Nagpur Improvement Trust, former Mayor Archana Dehankar, former Standing Committee Chairman Prakash Bhoyar, former Standing Committee Chairman and ruling party leader Avinash Thakre, former Deputy Mayor Deepchand Pardikar, senior member Chetna Tank, former corporator Varsha Thakre, and former corporator Harish Dikondwar.

 

 

 

However, former Standing Committee Chairman Vicky Kukreja, former Chairman of Water Works Committee Sandip Gavai, Balya Borkar, Bunty Kukde, former Mayor Mayatai Iwnate, and BJP Mahila Morcha President Pragati Patil have managed to get tickets. Former Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari who is now City President, has on his own did not ask ticket. Under the new rule of BJP where it has decided to not to give tickets to the son or wife or husband of MLAs, MLCs, MP, Dr Parineeta Fuke too did not ask the ticket. She is wife of MLC Dr Parinay Fuke. Dr Parineeta worked as the corporator of Prabhag 13 and tried to develop it. In the last election, 108 BJP corporators were elected. After coming to power, about 80 percent of the corporators did not even visit their constituencies. After the end of the municipal corporation’s term, the BJP had warned that it would not give tickets to the inactive corporators.

 

 

 

According to a senior leader of the BJP, the surveys were conducted and on the basis of it majority candidates are made party’s official candidates. The BJP has not yet announced the list of candidates due to fear of rebellion. However, those who were to be given tickets were called to the office of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and distributed the AB forms. All candidates will file their nominations on Tuesday, the last day of nomination filing. They have been instructed to file their applications without any fanfare. Before giving nominations, the BJP had conducted a survey of prospective and potential candidates. In addition, after the end of the municipal corporation’s term, corporators were instructed to keep their offices open and stay in touch with the citizens. Even after this, many did not open their offices or address the problems of the citizens, and the BJP claims that the tickets of all such individuals have been cut. There is still no consensus on the names of candidates for 35 seats within the BJP. Late last night, another meeting of BJP MLAs and the core committee was called at Nitin Gadkari’s residence. 

 

 

Though the number is not finalised, the BJP leaders are contemplating to give 5-6 seats to its Mahayuti constituent Shiv Sena (Shinde). The leaders are yet to decide where to adjust Sena candidates. BJP leaders will be declaring the final list on Tuesday evening after filling of nominations by the candidates. BJP leaders are firm in their alliance with Shiv Sena but not with Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar). Meanwhile, NCP leaders Anil Ahirkar and Shrikant Shivankar are in touch with BJP leaders to get the share. They are firm that if BJP doesn’t give tickets, then they are prepared to contest on all 151 seats.

 

 

There are some candidates who joined BJP from Congress and immediately got tickets of BJP. For example, Manoj Sable, a wellknown name in Congress in Prabhag 17 joined BJP in presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, got ticket on Monday. Similarly another Congress leader Neha Nikose from Prabhag 2, on Monday joined BJP and the party fielded her from the same Prabhag. Before the Assembly elections, the BJP had inducted office-bearers from various parties into its ranks. It is understood that there is opposition from within the BJP itself to the names of some of these individuals. Some BJP workers approached Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and expressed their disappointment.

 

 

Congress has finalised its 125 seats and gave remaining seats to its constituents--Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar). City Congress President Vikas Thakre had a discussion with NCP City President Duneshwar Pethe and Shiv Sena leaders Pramod Manmode and Kishor Kumeria. Thakre has also assured tickets to Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, AAP, Gondwana Gantantra Party, sources said. According to sources, Congress is waiting for the disgruntled elements in BJP who did not get tickets. For example, Deodutt Dehankar alias Deva has resigned from BJP as party denied him the ticket. Dehankar, a staunch BJYM leader, was considered as a strong contender. Congress may invite him to become its candidate.