Congress is facing another challenge of exodus as dissatisfied leaders and those fearing punitive action for their past decision are joining BJP. Party leaders are not enthused by Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s call to stay united to defeat BJP. Instead, they are worried about their future and crossing over to BJP.
Congress party in Maharashtra continues to be divided house with lack of strong leadership to face the crucial Lok Sabha election. State party chief Ashok Chavan, who faces court battle in connection with Adarsh housing scam, has not only failed to keep all factions together but to rejuvenate party organisation after its successive defeats since 2014 Lok Sabha elections in which the party had won paltry two seats.
Party faces another challenge of exodus as dissatisfied leaders and those fearing punitive action for their past decision are joining BJP. Party leaders are not enthused by Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s call to stay united to defeat BJP. Instead, they are worried about their future and crossing over to BJP.
Ironically, party loyalists are being dumped while those involved in show offs and marketing are being given party tickets.
Party veteran Sushilkumar Shinde, who is 75 plus, has been nominated from Sholapur against BJP. Shinde had lost 2014 elections and had lost touch t the grassroots. Lack of strong organisational set up makes Shinde’s fight tough. Former legislator Namdeo Usendi has been fielded in the Naxal infested Gadchiroli seat against BJP’s Ashok Nete, former MP Priya Dutt against BJP MP Poonam Mahajan in north-central Mumbai, former MP Eknath Gaikwad against Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale in south-central Mumbai, former union minister Milind Deora against Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant in south Mumbai, former MP Nana Patole, who left BJP to join Congress, has been fielded against union minister Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur seat.
Other nominees include Charulata Tokas against BJP MP Ramdas Tadas in Wardha, Vinayak Bangade against BJP minister Hansraj Ahir in Chandrapur, Subhash Zambad against Shiv Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire in Aungabad and Suresh Kashinath Taware against BJP Mp Kapil Patil in Bhiwandi. Machhlindra Kamat has been picked for the SC seat of Latur and Vilas Keshavrao Autade has been fielded from Jalna against state BJP chief Raosaheb Danve.
However, the selection of candidates by the party high command especially in Aurangabad and Chandrapur has led to anger in the rank and file. Party legislator Abdul Sattar may stage a rebellion to fight as an independent in Aurangabad while party members from Chandrapur are not happy with Bangade’s nomination in Chandrapur district which is also affected by naxal menace. Bangade got candidature due to a strong recommendation by Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik. On the contrary, state president Ashok Chavan and local leaders wanted party to give ticket to Raju Dhanorkar who recently quit Shiv Sena and was aspirant for the Congress ticket.
More importantly, Congress received flak after the nomination Navinchandra Bandiwadekar from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg constituency. Party leaders and non-Congress parties and organisations have taken serious objections against Bandiwadekar’s photographs on the dais of right-wing group Sanatan Sanstha and his participation in the rally organised to support Vaibhav Raut, a go-rakshak from Nallasopara arrested for possessing arms, became public. However, Chavan clarified that Bandiwadekar has clarified in this regard and he won’t be changed.
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