24 BJP leaders unhappy, 4-5 among them to leave party soon

Mumbai: Political activities are picking pace ahead of the State Assembly elections. Aspirants are lobbying to confirm their candidature. BJP leader from Kagal (Kolhapur) Samarjitsinh Ghatge has left the party following State Minister Hasan Mushrif’s entry in the Maha Yuti.

Ghatge is joining the NCP (SP) in the presence of party President Sharad Pawar on Tuesday (September 3). It is almost certain that he will contest the election from Kagal against Mushrif.

However, there are 24 such unhappy leaders in the BJP. Around five of them are likely to leave the party soon. BJP State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule told a Marathi TV news channel, “There are 24 BJP leaders who can give a tough fight to NCP (AP) candidates. These leaders are worried about their future and are restive. Around 4-5 BJP leaders may join the NCP (SP) but they will most likely be disappointed.

“We are in touch with them. We also spoke to Samarjitsinh Ghatge. Devendra Fadnavis also held talks with Harshvardhan Patil several times. We did not want to stop Ghatge. He has resolved to contest the State Assembly poll. Hence, he took a decision. The BJP welcomes leaders from other parties, where the party does not have strong alternatives. The party expansion is possible if an influential leader joins it.

“Harshvardhan Patil was fielded by the party in the last election but he lost it. Now, the polls will happen. Circumstances are different in the Maha Yuti. These leaders would have got the candidature, had there been no Maha Yuti.

“Meanwhile, those who cannot wait and see no other option but to contest the State Assembly poll will leave the party. There are only 4-5 such leaders. Why should we put a spoke in their political life? They are confident that they would be elected. We cannot field them, so how can we stop them? We are trying to persuade them. We strengthen the party organisation before and after forming the government.

“We have our government at the Centre, where people can be accommodated. There are many who are not in a hurry to contest the election. They are happy to follow party orders. There is a big list of such leaders.”