2 weeks Ago
Pune: Local BJP functionaries in Maval assembly constituency have said they are firm in their support for the independent candidate — who is also backed by MVA — despite the likelihood that deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule will campaign for the official Mahayuti candidate, NCP's sitting MLA Sunil Shelke. The NCP rebel from Mahayuti contesting as an independent against Shelke, Bapu Bhegade, will get the support of former state minister and senior BJP functionary from Maval, Bala Bhegade. The latter on Wednesday told TOI that he and his supporters will continue to campaign for Bapu, even if BJP top brass stand with Shelke.
Bala said, "Our fight is based on local issues. All political parties are supporting the independent candidate (Bapu) here. We are firm on our stand.
We had already resigned from our party posts in protest against the nomination of a sitting MLA as the Mahayuti candidate." On Monday, NCP's Nana Kate, who had earlier filed his nomination as an independent from Chinchwad but withdrew the same, said he was promised by deputy CM Fadnavis that BJP will campaign for Shelke in Maval, and he (Fadnavis) will hold rallies for the Mahayuti candidate himself. "Fadnavis told me over the phone that he will hold meetings and campaign in Maval for Shelke.
I was also informed that apart from those who have already resigned from party posts, the remaining BJP workers will actively campaign for NCP's candidate in Maval. So, I decided to withdraw my nomination and support Mahayuti's official candidate in Chinchwad seat as well," Kate said. In Oct, Bala had resigned from the post of state vice president of BJP soon after Shelke was nominated as the official Mahayuti candidate for Maval assembly seat.
NCP's former state vice president, Bapu, was eyeing a ticket from the party, but after Shelke was renominated Bapu also resigned from his post and declared he would contest as an independent. Other BJP functionaries — including state president of BJP's Kisan Morcha, Ganesh Bhegade, and BJP's election chief for Maval assembly constituency, Ravindra Bhegade — have also extended their support for the independent candidate. Interestingly, MVA has not fielded any candidate for this seat, instead extending support to Bapu.
.
