BJP & Sena face tough task to rein in internal dissent ahead of MLC polls

Nashik: BJP in Nashik and Shiv Sena in Jalgaon are grappling with internal dissent ahead of the MLC elections, nominations for which closed on Monday. Despite a seat-sharing agreement within the Mahayuti alliance — allocating Nashik to Sena and Jalgaon to BJP — rebels from within the two parties have entered the fray, creating an awkward situation for both sides.

In Nashik, BJP’s Ganesh Gite filed his nomination as an independent candidate, defying the alliance decision to back the Sena nominee. City BJP chief Sunil Kedar made it clear that no party member had any justification to contest the election as an independent. “Once it was decided that Sena would contest the Nashik seat, there is no reason for any BJP member to enter the poll fray, even as an independent. Gite has filed his nomination and the party has directed him to withdraw or face strict action for violating the party line,” Kedar said.

Gite, a former chairman of the Nashik Municipal Corporation’s standing committee, has a history of rebellion. He had earlier contested the assembly elections against the party’s official candidate under the NCP (SP) banner but was unsuccessful. Though he later rejoined BJP, his latest move has again put the party in a difficult position.

Adding to the concern, 10 corporators from Nashik city have reportedly backed Gite as proposers. BJP has initiated disciplinary action against them. “The state leadership has sought written explanations from the corporators involved and warned of severe consequences, including suspension, for anti-party activities,” Kedar said.

He feared that such dissent could lead to cross-voting in the secret ballot. Notices have been issued to the corporators, asking them to clarify their positions. A senior BJP functionary said if Gite refused to withdraw, the corporators supporting him might be suspended to minimise damage to the alliance candidate.

In Jalgaon, two Sena members, Reshma Kale and Deepak Dhande, have also filed nominations as independents, even though BJP is contesting the seat as part of the alliance agreement. Sena functionaries, however, downplayed the development. “They cannot be called rebels yet. They have only filed nominations and can still withdraw before the deadline. There is no reason for BJP to be concerned at this stage,” a senior Sena member said, adding that the party would act if they persisted in the contest.