Latest news with #Badgujar
Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Once UAPA accused over Dawood ‘links', Sena (UBT) leader finds place in BJP ahead of Nashik civic polls
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Wednesday stepped in to defend the induction of former Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sudhakar Badgujar into the BJP, claiming there was no opposition to the same, including from state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Badgujar, once considered close to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, is a controversial figure who has been criticised by the BJP in the past over a video purportedly showing him dancing with Saleem 'Kutta', an accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. Badgujar faced charges under the UAPA for this. On Tuesday, BJP MLA Seema Hiray publicly opposed Badgujar's induction into the party, while Bawankule and senior BJP leader Ravindra Chavan initially claimed 'no information' about it. Unhappy with the Sena (UBT), Badgujar had recently met Fadnavis. Another former Sena (UBT) leader, Babanrao Gholap, joined the party along with Badgujar. The induction was held at the BJP's Mumbai headquarters, with state minister Girish Mahajan attending a massive show of strength put up by Badgujar and Gholap. On Bawankule's unhappiness, BJP insiders said the state party chief blames Badgujar for the leaking of controversial photos featuring him back in 2023. The images purportedly at a casino in Macau were shared by Raut. A BJP leader said that while Bawankule tried to stop Badgujar's induction, 'Girish Mahajan pushed for it and went ahead anyway, since CM Fadnavis too was in favour'. Hiray has her own reasons for resisting Badgujar, having faced off against him – and defeated him – in the 2014 and 2024 Assembly elections from Nashik West. Party leaders say the tension between the two will reflect in the BJP's Nashik unit. Several local leaders feared the move weakens the BJP's stance on being uncompromising on law and order. However, others point to how this will hurt the Sena (UBT), with the Nashik area its bastion and civic polls coming up. Asked about Badgujar Tuesday, Hiray said: 'I was among those who had called him anti-national. There are serious criminal charges pending against him. He even contested against me. How can we welcome him into our fold now?' A successful contractor with considerable financial clout, a known public face in Nashik, and a three-term corporator who rose to become the Shiv Sena's Nashik district chief, Badgujar went with the Sena (UBT) in the party's split and hit the headlines in 2023 when BJP MLA Nitesh Rane accused Badgujar of sheltering Salim Kutta, an alleged associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and a convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts. A video of Badgujar dancing with Salim Kutta at a private event also surfaced around that time. Following this, an FIR was registered against Badgujar under the stringent UAPA by the then Mahayuti government, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the matter. He was subsequently externed from Nashik district – a decision he is still contesting in court. The BJP used the allegations against Badgujar to attack the Sena (UBT). The matter became stickier for Uddhav Thackeray's party during the 2024 Assembly elections when rivals dug out that Badgujar's son Deepak had been booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in 2021 in connection with a murder case. While Badgujar's successive bids to break through into the Maharashtra Assembly were thwarted, he retained his influence in the party and city politics owing to his grassroots connections and strong knowledge of civic body administration. On June 4, soon after he had a meeting with Fadnavis to reportedly lobby for filling vacant posts in the Nashik Municipal Corporation, Badgujar was expelled from the Sena (UBT) over alleged anti-party activities. Then Badgujar's video with Salim resurfaced. Going on the offensive, the Sena (UBT) pointed out that at the aforesaid controversial event, several BJP leaders had also been present. Meanwhile Nitesh Rane, a former united Sena leader now in the BJP, called Badgujar a changed man. Having linked him with Dawood Ibrahim in 2023, Rane said Tuesday: 'Badgujar has been heading towards Hindutva… His son has also participated in morchas of Hindu organisations.' Fadnavis, who was part of the government that ordered the SIT in 2023 against Badgujar, pointed out Wednesday that no action had been taken or initiated against him. 'It is true that there were allegations against Badgujar and our Nitesh Rane also shared a video. However, after a probe was conducted, no action was taken. This is when he was in the Opposition. So there is no question about us giving him a clean chit because he joined the BJP… Now he is in the BJP, leaving his past, and should follow the ethics of the party,' the CM said. A former minister, five-time Deolali MLA and an influential Maratha face, Gholap's entry into the BJP was overshadowed by the row involving Badgujar. However, Gholap has been a familiar figure in Maharashtra's political landscape for over four decades, starting his association with the united Sena in the early 1980s. His career was hit by corruption allegations, with activist Anna Hazare's accusations against him of amassing disproportionate wealth leading to his resignation from the Cabinet in the late 1990s. Following a 13-year legal battle, Gholap and his wife were convicted by a Mumbai Sessions Court. In 2014, Gholap withdrew as the Sena's candidate from the Shirdi Lok Sabha seat due to the disqualification arising from the court ruling. Gholap has been out of the Sena (UBT) since February 2024, when he resigned claiming he had not been treated well by the leadership.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP takes into its fold man it said had ties with '93 blast convict
former Shiv Sena (UBT) Nashik unit chief Sudhakar Badgujar MUMBAI: BJP on Tuesday inducted former Shiv Sena (UBT) Nashik unit chief Sudhakar Badgujar, whom it had accused of partying with 1993 bomb blasts case convict Salim Kutta of the Dawood gang, into the party. After BJP's allegations in 2023, Devendra Fadnavis as then deputy CM had announced a SIT probe into Badgujar's alleged gangland links, reports Clara Lewis. Badgujar's alleged links with Kutta were raised in the legislative assembly by BJP's Nitesh Rane, who demanded his arrest and submitted photos of Badgujar partying with Kutta. Shiv Sena's Dada Bhuse also raised the issue. Weeks ago, Shiv Sena (UBT) expelled Badgujar as word spread he may join BJP. Two weeks ago, Badgujar met Fadnavis. Interestingly, BJP state president Chandrashekar Bawankule initially claimed ignorance about Badjugar joining BJP, saying he was "not aware". However, when Badgujar arrived with his supporters at BJP state headquarters in Mumbai at around 3.30pm, he was welcomed by Bawankule,state BJP executive president Ravindra Chavan and cabinet minister Girish Mahajan. Former Shiv Sena-BJP govt minister Babanrao Gholap also joined BJP with Badgujar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트 29만원 이벤트 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo Since speculation began about Badgujar's induction, BJP's Nashik unit voiced unhappiness. Nashik unit president Sunil Kedar, who opposed his entry, attended Tuesday's event, but Nashik West BJP MLA Seema Hiray, whom Badgujar had contested against, stayed away. Bawankule said every entry into the BJP is for development. Chavan said the trust they had placed in the BJP would not be misplaced. Meanwhile, four former UBT Sena corporators from Nashik joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Tuesday. Inputs from Abhilash Botekar in Nashik
Hans India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Maha: Sudhakar Badgujar, who faced charges of 'links' with underworld, joins BJP
Mumbai: Nashik-based politician Sudhakar Badgujar, who was recently sacked by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena for anti-party activities, on Tuesday joined the BJP in the presence of state party chief and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan and state unit working president Ravindra Chavan. The state Minister of Ports and Shipping, Nitesh Rane (BJP), had recently accused Badgujar of having links with Salim Kutta, an associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Besides, the local legislator Seema Hire had also appealed to the party leadership not to induct Badgujar into the party fold. More importantly, Bawankule had expressed serious reservations over accommodating Badgujar in the party. At the time of Badgujar's official entry today, Bawankule admitted there is discord but not differences of opinion (Manbhed aahet Manbhed nahit). Some BJP leaders claim that the BJP will benefit in the local and civic body elections following Badgujar's entry. Dramatic events were witnessed during Badgujar's entry into the BJP. He was to join at 2 pm when Minister Girish Mahajan had reached the party office in South Mumbai. But state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and executive state president Ravindra Chavan had not reached the office. Finally, after many phone calls, Bawankule reached the party office. 'I had no idea about Badgujar's entry today. I thought the party entry was tomorrow,' said Bawankule, who reached the party office after attending the weekly cabinet meeting. Party insiders said that Bawankule was not eager for Badgujar's entry as the latter had made some exposés about his foreign visit. Further, a section of the party leaders from Nashik and also at the state level objected to Badgujar's entry as they cited the allegations made by Minister of Ports and Shipping Nitesh Rane for his links to underworld don Salim Kutta. This had created a ruckus in the state assembly. Thereafter, the then-Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis had ordered an investigation through an SIT in this case. However, Nitesh Rane, who had earlier lashed out at Badgujar, today welcomed Badgujar's entry into the party. 'If anyone comes with us with the thread of Hindutva, we will welcome him. Badgujar has now become 100 per cent saffron. Badgujar's journey towards Hindutva has begun in earnest. His son was at the forefront of the Sakal Hindutva Morcha that we organised a few days ago,' he said. After his official entry, Badgujar said, 'Today I joined the BJP. I thank the BJP and Devendra Fadnavis. Girish Mahajan is a problem solver. When a disaster strikes, he makes a way, and he made my way. I am innocent.' He further assured that he will work with full loyalty to the party and work hard for its consolidation ahead of the upcoming local and civic body elections.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
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. " 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. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Our doors are open for Badgujar: Bawankule
Nashik: Despite significant internal opposition, including from Nashik West MLA Seema Hiray and other BJP functionaries, state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule has indicated that the door remains open for Sudhakar Badgujar — the recently expelled Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader — to join the saffron party. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Badgujar had been accused by the BJP of being anti-national after purported video clips surfaced showing him with 1993 Mumbai Bomb Blast convict Salim Kutta. However, Bawankule, speaking in Nashik at a workshop for over 550 party office-bearers from the Nashik division, asserted that an individual is not a criminal until proven so in a court of law. When asked about Badgujar potentially joining the party, Bawankule said, "The doors are open to all those who want to join the party." He acknowledged the existing "bitterness, misgivings, and misunderstandings" between Badgujar and current BJP leaders, citing their past electoral contest in the assembly elections. Bawankule added that he and Girish Mahajan were "looking into the matter". He emphasized that no deadline had been set for a decision on Badgujar's inclusion. "It will take time. After all, the party is striving for the development of society and the country, and we want to increase the party bases. We will decide appropriately and accordingly if anybody wants to join us without any conditions," Bawankule said. In response to the question that party functionaries felt accepting Badgujar into the party fold would malign the party image, Bawankule said, "Making allegations against a person is one thing, and conviction by the court is another. I personally believe that no one should judge any person based on allegations." Regarding the Thackeray brothers coming together, Bawankule said the party has nothing to do with their decision, especially when the Mahayuti is stronger than ever.
