4 days ago
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.
