Latest news with #SudhakarBadgujar
Time of India
11 hours ago
- 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
Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Decode Politics: Allegations of Dawood links to being courted by BJP, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader sparks Maharashtra row
In December 2023, the BJP launched a strong offensive against Sudhakar Badgujar, then the Nashik unit chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT), over his alleged links to the Dawood Ibrahim gang. On Monday, Badgujar was seen meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a move that triggered an immediate backlash from both the local BJP and the Sena (UBT) that moved fast to suspend Badgujar following the meeting. The BJP, which previously pursued multiple inquiries against Badgujar for his purported underworld connections, now finds itself facing internal dissent. BJP workers and lower-level leaders have expressed strong opposition to the prospect of the Sena leader's induction, viewing the leadership's sudden engagement with him, aimed at bolstering the BJP's position ahead of the civic elections, as a betrayal of its stated principles. * Who is Sudhakar Badgujar? Till this March, the 55-year-old Badgujar served as the Sena (UBT)'s Nashik district unit chief and Deputy Leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT). His political career began in 2007 when he was elected as an independent corporator in the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC). At the time, Sena corporator Vinayak Pandey became Mayor with the backing of independents, of whom Badgujar was one. This early alliance marked the beginning of his association with the Shiv Sena. Badgujar formally joined the party on June 14, 2008, in the presence of senior leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut. He quickly rose through the ranks. From 2009 to 2012, he served as the Leader of the House in the NMC, and after the corporation came under the control of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, he served as the Leader of the Opposition from 2012 to 2015. He contested the Nashik West Assembly constituency twice, first in 2014 on a Shiv Sena ticket, and again in 2024 for the Sena (UBT), but lost both times to the BJP's Seema Hiray. Despite electoral setbacks, Badgujar has remained a constant presence in local politics, serving as a corporator for over 15 years. Also known as a successful contractor with substantial financial clout, he has maintained close ties with Sanjay Raut and is one of the few well-resourced leaders in Nashik who remained loyal to Thackeray following the split in the Shiv Sena. * What were the BJP's allegations against Badgujar? In December 2023, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane accused Badgujar of associating with convicted Dawood aide Mohammed Salim Mira Shaikh — known in Mumbai underworld circles as Salim Kutta, he had once urged a TADA court to drop the offensive epithet from court records — who was a key figure in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. Rane alleged that Badgujar had hosted the gangster at his farmhouse in Nashik. Following these allegations, the Nashik Police registered an FIR against Badgujar under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the matter. An externment order was later issued against Badgujar, which he legally challenged. In the run-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections that he contested on a Sena (UBT) ticket, the Sena leader was at the centre of another row when his son Deepak was booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in connection with a 2021 murder case. Badgujar lost the election. The veteran leader has been treading cautiously since the Fadnavis-led government came to power, leaving his political future open-ended. With the BJP entrusting Nashik's political affairs to minister Girish Mahajan, a close confidant of the CM, Badgujar began re-evaluating his allegiance to the Sena (UBT). Speculation about his growing proximity to the BJP intensified after reports of frequent backchannel communication with Mahajan. It was his Monday meeting with Fadnavis during the latter's visit to Nashik that signalled a possible realignment. Although Badgujar later downplayed the significance of the meeting, claiming it was solely to discuss issues affecting NMC workers, the political fallout was swift. Within 24 hours of the meeting, Sena (UBT) expelled him from the party. * Why does the BJP want Badgujar, and how has the local unit responded? The BJP is looking for a strategic advantage in Nashik ahead of the municipal corporation elections, where it came to power in 2017 after a strong performance. While Badgujar may not enjoy the stature of a major state leader, he is regarded as a shrewd operator with a strong grasp of the political machinery at the civic level in Nashik. His financial clout and influence on local dynamics make him a potentially valuable asset for the BJP in its bid to retain control of the NMC. However, his potential entry into the BJP has triggered discontent in the local BJP. Nashik West MLA Seema Hiray is among those opposed to Badgujar joining the party. 'There has been no discussion on Badgujar joining our party. I have contested against him twice. He has harassed our workers and made objectionable remarks about our leaders. We have urged our senior leadership not to induct such a person into the party,' she said. Despite the local resistance, the BJP's state leadership appears to be weighing the broader political benefits. Asked about it, Girish Mahajan offered a measured response: 'Every party works towards expanding its base. We, too, are doing the same. However, no final decision has been taken as of now.' As the party deliberates, Badgujar remains in a wait-and-watch mode, awaiting the green light. 'I will decide on my political future soon,' he said.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
UBT's dy leader Badgujar gets expelled for ‘anti-party activity'
Nashik: Shiv Sena (UBT)'s deputy leader Sudhakar Badgujar was expelled on Wednesday for anti-party activities. Saha samparka pramukh of UBT's Nashik district unit Datta Gaikwad made the announcement during a press conference at the party's office in the city on Wednesday. He said party MP Sanjay Raut had called him to inform about Badgujar's expulsion. UBT's Nashik district chief DG Suryavanshi also called a press conference on Wednesday, but Badgujar did not attend it. On Monday, Badgujar had met CM Devendra Fadnavis during his visit to Nashik city, leading to speculations in the political circles. Badgujar had clarified that he had met the CM to seek recruitment of staff for vacant posts in the Nashik Municipal Corporation in view of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela. He had said the party's senior leaders were informed about the meeting. On Tuesday, Badgujar told reporters that he and party city chief Vilas Shinde as well as 12 former corporators of the party were disappointed after the district committee was restructured without taking them into confidence. Badgujar's statement sparked rumours that he and the 12 former corporators of UBT might join the BJP. Resultantly, the party expelled Badgujar. When contacted, Badgujar told TOI that if expressing disappointment was a crime and the punishment expulsion, then he accepts it.
