Pune BJP MLAs face opposition within party, leadership’s decision awaited

Pune: The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the State Legislative Assembly election 2024 has come into effect from October 15. The two rival alliances in the State are conducting meetings over seat-sharing. At the same time, they are preparing the list of party candidates. There are many aspirants within a party, which has compounded issues for party leaderships.

There are seven BJP MLAs and one Congress MLA in the city. The City Unit of BJP is witnessing internal disputes and a tug of war over candidatures in every seat. Therefore, people are curious to know what decision the party leadership takes with regard to each constituency.

There have been reports of differences between sitting MLA and State Minister Chandrakant Patil and former corporator Amol Balwadkar in the Kothrud Assembly segment. The latter held a press meet and expressed his displeasure for denying him an opportunity. He alleged that the party neglected him for his wish to contest from the Kothrud seat.

In the Parvati Assembly segment, Madhuri Misal is the sitting MLA. However, Shrinath Bhimale has challenged her candidature and wants to contest this time. Misal addressed a press conference and publicly asked where she would contest from.

Local party leaders are not happy with Khadakwasla MLA Bhimrao Tapkir too. Questions are being raised over huge voting for the NCP (SP) from the segment in the Lok Sabha election. Former corporators and office-bearers have expressed displeasure against Tapkir. A chorus is growing that a better candidate should be fielded if the party does not want to lose the seat. Among the aspirants are former Deputy Mayor Prasanna Jagtap and Kiran Dagde.

There is no BJP MLA in the Kasba Peth constituency. Though Ravindra Dhangekar of Congress defeated BJP’s Hemant Rasne in the bypoll a few years ago, Dhangekar himself polled less votes from the segment during the Lok Sabha election.

Both alliances will have to work hard here. BJP City Unit President Dheeraj Ghate has claimed the candidature from the seat, challenging Hemant Rasne’s claim. It is said that Kunal Tilak is also interested in contesting from the segment.

Sitting MLA Siddharth Shirole’s candidature is thought to be confirmed. There is still no other aspirant from the constituency. Therefore, Shirole’s chances of getting the party ticket are higher.

Sitting MLA from Cantonment segment, Dilip Kamble is claiming that he would get the candidature. The Kamble brothers have got the party ticket alternatively. However, there is no strong option available for the party from the segment. Kamble won with a thin margin in the last election. It will be interesting to see if he gets the candidature again.