Pune Politics: Discussion on Entry of Former Shiv Sena Corporators into BJP and Discontent within BJP

The discussion of Thackeray’s former corporators joining the party and displeasure in the BJP

Pune: Five former corporators from the Shiv Sena Thackeray faction are set to join the BJP, creating unrest among the aspirants within the party. The fact that these former corporators were inducted into the party without consulting the existing party leaders has led to dissatisfaction among them. This has delayed the planned induction event, which was supposed to take place on Sunday.

The five former Shiv Sena corporators—Vishal Dhanwade, Bala Oswal, Sangeeta Thosar, Pallavi Jhawle, and Prachi Alhat—recently met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and are expected to join the BJP. However, this move has sparked discontent among BJP members. The induction of these individuals threatens the candidature of local aspirants for municipal elections, as they fear losing their chance to contest after having worked for the party during the state and national elections.

These aspirants have expressed their displeasure to party officials, even requesting that these five former corporators not be inducted. Additionally, sources within the BJP have revealed that some party and organizational leaders were not consulted before these corporators were welcomed into the party, further fueling the dissatisfaction. This has led to a delay in the planned induction event, which is now expected to take place on Tuesday, January 7, in Mumbai.

The situation has raised questions about why these corporators are being inducted when there are so many aspirants for the upcoming municipal elections. In the 2017 municipal elections, BJP had to induct several corporators from other parties like MNS, Congress, and NCP due to a lack of strong candidates. Many of these corporators won, helping BJP secure a significant majority in the Pune Municipal Corporation.

However, the scenario is different now. BJP has a large number of aspirants, and the ward boundaries for the upcoming elections will have to be redrawn. It is still unclear which wards have strong candidates, and the exact timing of the municipal elections has not yet been decided. Despite this, the urgency of inducting the five former corporators has raised questions among party officials.

Regarding the necessity of these inductees, only one or two of the five former corporators have considerable influence in their areas, with the others unlikely to be elected again even with BJP’s support. This has led to doubts about whether BJP will benefit from this move, or whether the former corporators themselves stand to gain more.