The infighting in the city unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to the fore during the candidates’ meeting organised by the party on Monday.
A discussion on the Shiv Sena fielding candidates in three panels against BJP candidates took place. While leaders of the faction owing allegiance to senior leader, Gopinath Munde suggested that the party support rebels in such panels, the faction loyal to party president, Nitin Gadkari, stirred clear of the issue.
MLA, Madhuri Misal gave vent to the anti-Sena sentiment and suggested that the party support BJP activists who are contesting as independents in a couple of panels that are in the quota of the Sena to teach it a lesson.
She said the Shiv Sena should be urged to ask its candidates to give up and support the BJP for the three seats or else the BJP should support its activists who are contesting as independents for four to five seats which have been allotted to Shiv Sena.
However, MLA Girish Bapat avoided referring to the issue. Giving tips to the contestants, he said candidates should plan a campaign, appoint key persons for important tasks, use modern technology to connect to voters and show respect towards voters as well as activists.
City BJP unit president, Vikas Mathkari did not bring up the issue of differences with the Shiv Sena in his speech. He urged the candidates to fight with a winning instinct.
In contrast, BJP state general secretary, Raghunath Kulkarni asked Mathkari to remove rebels from the party.
“The rebels in the BJP will not be considered party members henceforth. We tried our best to pacify the discontented and urged them to withdraw till the last minute. But now it’s time to take action,” he added.
He urged candidates to put behind all differences and concentrate on the elections. “Complaints about fellow partymen will not be tolerated,” he told them.
Kulkarni attacked tainted Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi, saying people should ask him what right he had to ask for votes.
He took a hit at the Nationalist Congress Party as well, saying the BJP intended to free the city of ‘tagegiri’ (bullying) and corruption.
Comments: 1