The Indian National Congress has successfully resolved its simmering internal conflict over crucial leadership positions within the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation. This resolution came after direct intervention from the party's national general secretary, KC Venugopal, in New Delhi, effectively ending weeks of intense factional brinkmanship that had threatened to disrupt the upcoming mayoral election process.
Delhi-Brokered Settlement Details
According to the high-level settlement reached during a meeting convened by Venugopal, a clear distribution of key posts has been established. The Pratibha Dhanorkar faction will secure the coveted mayor's position in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation. Meanwhile, the deputy mayor's post will be allocated based on the recommendation of Congress Legislature Party leader and senior Maharashtra MLA, Vijay Wadettiwar. Additionally, the post of standing committee chairman has been specifically earmarked for the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, acknowledging their role in the political equation.
Roots of the Power Struggle
The dispute originated from a significant power struggle between the Wadettiwar and Dhanorkar camps, both vying for control over the influential mayor's post. With the Congress party holding a total of 27 corporators in the civic body, each faction aggressively laid claim to numerical superiority, intensifying political tensions as the critical deadline for filing mayoral nominations rapidly approached.
Escalation to Central Leadership
As the political stalemate deepened within the Chandrapur Congress unit, the contentious issue was escalated to the party's central leadership in Delhi. Venugopal subsequently summoned key leaders from both opposing camps to the national capital. During these discussions, the Wadettiwar faction is understood to have strongly pressed its case by presenting documented support from its corporators, highlighting the internal divisions.
Party insiders revealed that a consensus formula was meticulously finalized during late-night negotiations, ultimately clearing the path for a smooth and uncontested election process. This resolution was later confirmed by sources close to the Dhanorkar camp, who indicated that the group leader registration process within the Congress party has been successfully completed, with only minor procedural formalities now pending.
Implications and Unresolved Matters
The Delhi-brokered political truce effectively restores organizational balance within the Chandrapur Congress unit and clears the decks for the much-anticipated civic leadership transition. However, one significant issue remains unaddressed: the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s claim to the mayor's post in return for their political support. This lingering demand suggests that while the immediate internal Congress dispute has been settled, broader coalition dynamics in Chandrapur's municipal politics may require further negotiation and attention in the coming days.
