Former Shiv Sena MP becomes fourth to jump BJP ship

By: Ranjan Dasgupta

AHMEDNAGAR:

Former Shiv Sena MP

from Shirdi

Bhausaheb Wakchaure

has become the fourth BJP leader in North Maharashtra to rebel against the party and contest as an independent in the forthcoming general elections.

Wakchaure, who was the Sena MP from Shirdi in 2009, did not withdraw his nomination within the deadline, indicating he will be locking horns with sitting Sena MP Sadashiv Lokhande and Congress’ Bhausaheb Kamble in Shirdi.

The three other BJP leaders who are now independents are Suhas Natawadkar from Nandurbar, Anil Gote from Dhule and Manikrao Kokate from Nashik.

“Voters urged me to contest as an independent as they know the kind of work I had done as an MP. They were unhappy with Lokhande. Even the Congress nominee cannot deliver if he wins. I was ready to contest on a Sena ticket, but was denied,” Wakchaure said.

Some Sena leaders from Ahmednagar district said with Wakchure in the fray, it would be ‘tough’ for Lokhande to retain the seat. “Wakchaure’s move will eat into the votes of our candidate. It could benefit the Congress,” said a Sena leader, adding

that as a veteran leader from Shirdi, Wakchure had sizeable influence in the constituency comprising six assembly segments.

Ahmednagar district has two Lok Sabha seats — Ahmednagar and Shirdi. Both are with the NDA.

If Sena sources are to be believed, state NDA leaders tried convincing Wakchaure to withdraw his candidature but in vain. Wakchure had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 general elections from Shirdi on a Congress ticket. Later, he joined BJP.

But the silver lining for Lokhande is that workers of senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil are covertly working for him. Shirdi is a stronghold of Vikhe Patil and if his loyalists can swing a sizeable section of traditional Congress voters in Lokhande’s favour, it could be advantageous for the Sena nominee.

Dhule candidate Gote said leaders turning independents in North Maharashtra was evidence of resentment among loyalists.

“The NDA top brass should been transparent while handing tickets. It is inexplicable why sitting MP from Ahmednagar Dilip Gandhi and sitting MP of Dindori Harishchandra Chavan were denied tickets. The two have not rebelled. It would have wreacked havoc for BJP,” said Gote.