Open dissent within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) marred the party's campaign in Chandrapur on Wednesday, as disgruntled workers made bold attempts to disrupt two separate public meetings addressed by senior leader and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
First Confrontation at Indiranagar Meeting
The first sign of trouble emerged at a campaign event in Indiranagar. Here, a party worker named Manoj Potraje, accompanied by his supporters, tried to forcefully enter the meeting led by Minister Bawankule. The situation quickly escalated, requiring police intervention to control the scene. Potraje was ultimately stopped and escorted out of the premises. However, his supporters continued their protest, raising slogans that directly targeted the current party leadership, highlighting the simmering discontent within the local unit.
Stage Stormed at Sapna Talkies Chowk
The drama did not end there. Later in the day, at Sapna Talkies Chowk, another act of rebellion unfolded. Rakesh Bomanwar, who is now contesting as an independent candidate after being denied a BJP ticket from the same ward, suddenly climbed onto the stage during the public meeting. Bomanwar's unexpected move caused a stir among the gathering as he sought to speak directly to the minister.
Although local MLA Kishor Jorgewar tried to restrain him, Bomanwar was persistent. He interrupted Bawankule's speech, unsettling the audience and bringing the programme to a temporary halt. In response, Minister Bawankule firmly asked the rebel candidate to step down from the stage. He assured Bomanwar that his concerns would be heard, but only after the conclusion of the scheduled meeting.
Campaign Resumes After Removal
Following the minister's directive, other BJP workers present at the venue led Bomanwar away. This action allowed the disrupted campaign programme to finally resume. These back-to-back incidents on Wednesday have publicly exposed the factional rifts and dissatisfaction among some sections of the party workers in Chandrapur, casting a shadow over the BJP's campaign cohesion in the region.
The events underscore a significant challenge for the party leadership: managing internal grievances and ensuring unity during a crucial electoral period. The open defiance by workers and a denied ticket aspirant points to deeper organizational issues that could impact the party's prospects if not addressed promptly.
