A significant controversy has erupted within the Pune city unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) over the inclusion of its sole city MLA, Bapu Pathare, in a crucial candidate selection committee. The dispute stems from the recent decision of Pathare's son, Surendra Pathare, to join the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading to serious allegations of a conflict of interest.
Core of the Conflict: Father in Panel, Son in Rival Camp
Bapu Pathare, the NCP (SP) MLA representing the Wadgaon Sheri assembly constituency, was appointed to the committee responsible for interviewing aspirants for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections. His role involves selecting candidates who will compete against rival parties, including the BJP.
However, the situation took a contentious turn when his son, Surendra Pathare, recently switched allegiance and joined the BJP. This move has incensed a section of the local NCP (SP) cadre, who now question Pathare senior's ability to remain objective, particularly when selecting candidates for the ward his own son is expected to contest from.
Party Members Voice Anger, Demand Immediate Action
Senior office-bearers of the Pune NCP (SP) unit have expressed their strong displeasure to the party's state president, Shashikant Shinde. They argue that Pathare's position on the panel is untenable.
"While Bapu Pathare is interviewing aspirants for NCP (SP), his own son is now in the rival camp. How can he maintain an objective stand, especially while selecting candidates for the ward his son will be representing? Therefore, we have demanded his removal from the selection panel at the earliest," a senior office-bearer stated.
The frustration is compounded by Bapu Pathare's own political history. He had joined the BJP in 2019 but returned to the Sharad Pawar faction just before the 2024 assembly polls, successfully contesting and winning from Wadgaon Sheri. Some members feel betrayed that despite the party's stance against the BJP alliance, Pathare allowed his son to join their principal opponent.
"If Pathare was loyal to the party, he would not have allowed his son to join BJP. His son would have easily got a ticket from NCP (SP), but he was being opportunistic and therefore, he should be removed from the committee," another NCP (SP) member remarked, requesting anonymity.
State Leadership Upholds Democratic Values, Rejects Demand
In response to the mounting internal pressure, the state NCP (SP) leadership has taken a firm stand. Defending Pathare's continued role on the committee, the state president clarified the party's position.
"Our party works on democratic values, and every member has the freedom to take his or her decisions. We will not remove him from the committee," the state president said. This statement indicates that, for now, the party's central command is backing the MLA, prioritizing individual freedom of choice over the perceived conflict raised by the local unit.
The episode highlights the complex internal dynamics and challenges faced by political parties during election season, where personal political alignments of family members can create significant internal friction and pose questions about neutrality in candidate selection processes.
