Rebels in North Maharashtra: BJP throws out three, NCP one

NASHIK/MUMBAI: The state BJP leadership has expelled three rebels who are playing spoilsport for NDA candidates by contesting as independents in different Lok Sabha constituencies of North Maharashtra. The NCP, too, expelled its Malegaon corporator Nabi Ahmed Ahmadullah after he opted to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Dhule Lok Sabha constituency against the nominee fielded by party ally Congress.
The expelled BJP men are Manik Kokate, fighting against Shiv Sena’s Hemant Godse and NCP’s Sameer Bhujbal in Nashik; Bhausaheb Wakchaure, who has pitted himself against Shiv Sena’s Sadashiv Lokhande and Congress’s Bhausaheb Kamble in Shirdi; and Suhas Natawadkar, fighting against BJP’s Heena Gavit and Congress’s K C Padavi in Nandurbar.
The NCP released a statement on Wednesday that it acted against Ahmadullah as he was contesting on a ticket from Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, led by Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, against Congress candidate Kunal Patil.