Political Rift Overshadows Chandrapur Municipal Corporation Leadership Transition
The inauguration of newly-elected mayor Sangita Khandekar, deputy mayor Prashant Danao, and ruling party leader Chandrashekhar Shetty at the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC) on Thursday was marred by visible internal discord within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The event, intended to mark a fresh administrative beginning, instead highlighted a deepening rift between camps associated with two prominent BJP MLAs.
Boycott by Jorgewar-Aligned Corporators Casts Shadow
Seventeen corporators aligned with BJP MLA Kishor Jorgewar reportedly boycotted the mayoral event, alleging that Jorgewar was not formally invited. This significant absence left sections of the ruling party conspicuously missing from their own leadership ceremony. Supporters of Jorgewar described the alleged exclusion as a serious affront, framing it as a deliberate snub that triggered the coordinated boycott.
The political drama unfolded even as BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar, who is widely credited with orchestrating the party's electoral success in the CMC, publicly congratulated the new mayor and deputy mayor. This contrast underscored the factional tensions simmering beneath the surface of the BJP's local administration.
Administrative Formalities Proceed Amidst Political Turmoil
Despite the boycott, the official proceedings continued. Municipal commissioner Akunuri Naresh formally handed over responsibilities and welcomed the new civic leadership, ensuring the administrative transition was completed. However, the absence of nearly two dozen ruling party members transformed what should have been a unifying event into a spectacle of internal party strife.
The incident raises immediate questions about the stability and cohesion of the BJP's leadership within the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation. With key corporators openly defying the celebratory atmosphere, the new mayor and her team may face challenges in building a consensus-driven administration from the outset.
This public display of discord is particularly striking given the BJP's recent electoral victory in the municipality. Analysts suggest that the failure to manage internal factions could undermine governance efficiency and public perception, turning a moment of political triumph into a narrative of disunity.
