Although 40 candidates from various political parties have rebelled against the official candidates, the parties have taken action against only 15 of them. This leniency towards rebels indicates that parties are not confident of getting a clear majority.
Almost all major parties have faced rebellion in the civic polls.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended the membership of 12 rebels, the Shiv Sena has expelled five.
However, in the rest of the cases, senior leaders continue to claim that ‘attempts to change the minds of the rebels are on’. Some of these rebels are contesting the elections from other parties, but most of them are contesting as independents.
Even the party leaders have exercised restraint while talking about rebels. Deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar had recently said that the party leaders are talking to rebels. City Congress president, Abhay Chhajed, said on Wednesday, “There has been less rebellion in Congress. We are in touch with the rebels. I am sure they will support the party.”
The Shiv Sena has preferred to keep mum about the rebels. Political observers feel that parties are playing it safe by adopting a lenient attitude towards rebels.
They want to ensure that in case a rebel defeats the official candidate; he can support the party in the house, if the party does not get a majority. Such support matters when it comes to mayoral election or election to other key posts.
“The parties have an internal system to get pre-poll analysis. At places where they feel the rebel candidate is powerful, they don’t leave any stone unturned to retain him / her,” said a party member. The office-bearers or leaders, whom the rebels are close to, keep in touch with the rebel. The overall picture shows that rebels have nothing to lose in this election.
Comments