In a dramatic turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Nashik city unit president, Sunil Kedar, was confronted and surrounded by a group of agitated party workers at the Nashik Road office on Thursday. The protest erupted over last-minute disarray and alleged injustice in the distribution of crucial A and B forms on the final day for filing nominations.
Workers' Anger Boils Over, Kedar Gheraoed
The scene at the Nashik Road office turned tense as several senior party members expressed their fury. They accused the leadership of sidelining loyal, long-time workers in favour of newcomers during the critical form distribution process. The protest escalated to the point where the workers gheraoed Sunil Kedar, demanding immediate answers.
"The city unit president must explain why injustice was done to us. Till we get satisfactory answers, we are not going anywhere," declared one of the protesting members, capturing the mood of the gathering. The discontent ran so deep that another member issued a stark warning: "We came here to ask Kedar about his view on the chaos. We have lost faith in the party and will now work for the opposition with full force."
Chaotic Scenes and Police Intervention
With the anger mounting and the situation becoming increasingly volatile, fellow party office-bearers had to swiftly escort Kedar inside the office premises for his safety. They subsequently pulled down the shutters of the office, effectively barricading themselves inside while waiting for police help to arrive.
The police later reached the spot and managed to disperse the crowd of protesters. This intervention allowed Sunil Kedar to leave the office safely. Describing the incident, Kedar stated, "I visited Nashik Road to engage in dialogue with members who submitted their grievances in writing. These will be forwarded to the party leadership."
Explaining the Nomination Day Fiasco
Addressing the core issue that triggered the protest—the confusion over B forms on Tuesday, the last day for filing nominations—Kedar painted a picture of utter chaos. He explained that the situation was exacerbated by relatives of aspirants chasing office-bearers and himself, leading to a complete breakdown of order.
At least five B forms were misplaced in the melee and ended up with individuals who were not officially nominated by the party, Kedar confirmed. This admission highlighted the severe administrative lapse that fueled the workers' resentment.
When questioned about specific reports, including that former Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and now BJP member Sudhakar Badgujar had obtained four nomination papers (two for his son, one for himself, and one for his wife), Kedar outlined the corrective steps. "The state unit is reviewing all cases where B forms were submitted. Any discrepancies with the official list will be resolved, and such candidates will be asked to withdraw by 3 pm on Friday," he said.
Kedar further confirmed that a detailed report on Tuesday's incidents had been prepared and sent to the party's higher leadership. He assured that the leadership would take strict action against those responsible for the mismanagement.
