Political Drama Unfolds in Nashik BJP Unit as City President Resigns and Withdraws
In a stunning political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Nashik city unit witnessed a day of high drama as its president, Sunil Kedar, submitted his resignation on Tuesday, only to retract it within 24 hours following intense discussions with state party leaders. This extraordinary sequence of events unfolded against the backdrop of the upcoming mayoral and deputy mayoral elections scheduled for February 6, creating significant turbulence within the local party apparatus.
The Resignation That Shook the Party
Sunil Kedar's resignation came at a particularly sensitive moment, just after BJP candidates had filed their nominations for the crucial municipal elections. The timing of his decision sent shockwaves through the party ranks and exposed underlying tensions that had been brewing for some time. According to party insiders, Kedar's resignation was not a spontaneous act but rather the culmination of growing disagreements within the local leadership.
Alliance Proposal Sparks Internal Conflict
The primary catalyst for this political crisis appears to be Kedar's controversial proposal to Mahayuti partners, Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Kedar had suggested that the three parties should collaborate within the Nashik Municipal Corporation, particularly in preparation for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. This proposal, however, failed to gain traction within BJP circles and was met with immediate resistance from senior party figures.
Senior politician and minister Girish Mahajan publicly rejected the alliance idea, stating emphatically that the party did not require "crutches" as it already commanded a clear majority in the civic body. BJP had contested the municipal elections independently and secured an impressive 72 out of 122 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP had contested jointly. Mahajan's strong stance signaled the party's determination to form the administration independently, without sharing key positions with potential allies.
Political Maneuvering Intensifies
The political friction became increasingly visible on nomination day when Shiv Sena fielded three candidates for the deputy mayor's post, while Shiv Sena (UBT) nominated Seema Pawar as its mayoral candidate. This move further complicated the political landscape and highlighted the challenges facing BJP's local leadership. Following Kedar's proposal, local Shiv Sena politicians had reportedly demanded the posts of deputy mayor and standing committee chairman as part of any potential collaboration, demands that BJP leadership was unwilling to entertain.
Candidate Selection Dispute Adds Fuel to Fire
Party insiders revealed that the alliance controversy was not the sole trigger for Kedar's resignation. The city unit had reportedly recommended two names for the prestigious mayoral post, but a different candidate was ultimately chosen by Girish Mahajan. This decision created significant dissatisfaction within the local leadership, with many feeling that their recommendations had been disregarded. The disagreement over the candidate selection process is believed to have significantly contributed to Kedar's decision to step down from his position.
Swift Resolution Through State Intervention
In a dramatic turnaround, Kedar withdrew his resignation on Wednesday after extensive discussions with the state BJP leadership. The city president issued a clarifying statement explaining that he had discussed all his concerns with senior party officials and was convinced by their explanations. Acting on their instructions, he formally withdrew his resignation and confirmed that he would continue serving as the city unit chief.
This swift resolution brought temporary calm to the internal unrest that had been triggered by Kedar's abrupt resignation. The episode highlighted the complex dynamics at play within political parties, particularly during election seasons, and demonstrated how quickly political fortunes can change through dialogue and intervention from higher leadership levels.
The entire incident underscores the delicate balance that political parties must maintain between local autonomy and central leadership control, especially in crucial urban centers like Nashik that hold significant political and cultural importance, particularly with major events like the Kumbh Mela on the horizon.
