Nagpur: Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday dismissed Congress' claim of closing BJP's shop in Nagpur, calling it an over-enthusiastic statement from newly appointed city president Prafulla Gudadhe. Gudadhe had recently declared he would shut down BJP's operations in the city, but Bawankule retorted that Gudadhe faces a greater threat from within his own party.
Bawankule's Response
Bawankule stated, "He must know that there is so much factionalism in Congress party in Nagpur that people from his own camp will close Gudadhe's shutter first. This is childishness. He is overly excited after being appointed president, hence making such tall claims."
Bypoll Context
The Nagpur legislative council bypoll on June 18 has become a direct contest between BJP's Rajiv Potdar and Congress' Atul Londhe. In preparation, BJP has organized a week-long program for its 109 NMC corporators, including a stay at a Goa resort, a dinner in Mumbai with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and a two-day camp at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini on June 15 and 16.
Ring-Fencing Allegations
Sources indicated that corporators will leave Nagpur by the Duronto Express on June 10, fly to Goa the next day, and return to Mumbai on June 14. This is perceived as a ring-fencing exercise to prevent cross-voting. Notably, the mayor, deputy mayor, and standing committee chairman have been excluded from the trip.
Bawankule refuted the ring-fencing framing, emphasizing, "All our corporators are going for training on their own money. Some are on a trip, but have said they will travel at their own cost. This is good. An ideal example has been set in Nagpur."
