Functionaries fret as Bawankule welcomes members from oppn parties
Nashik: BJP functionaries keen to contest local body elections have expressed concern over state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday indicating there will be no restrictions on members from opposition parties wanting to cross over.
A senior BJP functionary said, "The party president has seemingly ignored protests by Nashik city unit chief Sunil Kedar and Nashik West MLA Seema Hiray on Wednesday regarding UBT's dismissed deputy leader Sudhakar Badgujar's potential inclusion into the party fold. If this is the behaviour, will seniors even consider resistance by our ground workers?"
Another BJP functionary, who is an aspirant to the local body poll, was unnerved about similar entries happening in the future.
"It is possible that with Badgujar, Ganesh Gite — who contested against BJP candidate and MLA Rahul Dhikale in Nashik East — will also seek entry. Badgujar and Gite will not come alone — and that is the real issue. We will have to compete with these imports and it is unacceptable. We have been striving for the party's development for long years," he said.
A possible contender from Nashik East said BJP officials are stating openly that local body election belongs to functionaries and that aspirants will receive backing. He said, "We don't see that happening though. Our leaders may argue that they are undecided whether or not to include rebels from other parties, but will they ever take us grassroot-level workers into confidence while making a decision with such high stakes?"
Kedar said Bawankule had sounded out party officebearers.
"We took a stand and that was conveyed to party seniors, who will make calculated decisions," he said, adding that, "The very essence of democracy is the head count based on which elections are contested and won. Govt and local bodies can be formed for development of the respective areas of various politicians only if one wins the election. Besides, the party is willing to accept people comfortable with BJP's work culture.
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On Thursday, BJP conducted a divisional-level workshop in Nashik. Bawankule said the party was looking forward to more than 100 seats in the 122-member Nashik civic body. He also said the election will be contested as Mahayuti. "Functionaries should not worry about strategies, but focus on work. The party will take care of their political career," he added.
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