Just one day after the Congress party announced its candidates for the upcoming Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections, a significant internal rift has erupted into public view. Senior grassroots leaders have openly accused the district leadership of deliberately sidelining long-time loyal workers in favour of political outsiders, sparking a major controversy.
Leaders Resign, Alleging "Inside Management"
At a press conference held on Wednesday, disgruntled office-bearers launched a scathing attack on the party's candidate selection process. They alleged that the distribution of tickets was heavily influenced by "inside management," financial considerations, and caste calculations, rather than a candidate's organisational commitment or length of service to the party.
Vijay Pohankar and Ratan Shilwar, office-bearers of the party's VJNT Cell with decades of association, publicly announced their resignation from organisational posts. They claimed that while party loyalists were ignored, nominations were secured by relatives and close associates of senior leaders. Specific examples included the brother of MLC Sudhakar Adbale and the wife of MP Dhanorkar's personal assistant, alleging neither had strong party allegiance.
Veterans and Sitting Corporators Overlooked
The criticism found strong echoes from other seasoned party members. Avdhoot Kotewar, a Congress worker for over 30 years, stated that individuals with limited experience or no formal affiliation were prioritised over former corporators and seasoned leaders.
The list of senior leaders denied tickets, as cited by the rebels, is substantial and includes prominent names. It features:
- Six-term corporator Prashant Danav
- Former standing committee chairperson Nandu Nagarkar
- Sitting corporators Sunta Lodhiya, Umakant Dhande, Bapu Ansari, Vinita Khanke, Sakina Ansari, Sagar Khobragade, and Durgesh Kodam
Former corporator Bapu Ansari made a serious allegation, stating that monetary capacity and community influence were discussed during candidate interviews, rather than merit or service.
Potential Fallout and Electoral Consequences
The scale of the discontent is underscored by numbers. According to the protesting leaders, 13 sitting corporators were denied tickets, while 35 newcomers were accommodated in the candidate list. This drastic overhaul has created deep resentment among the party cadre.
Congress state secretary Bandu Dhotre also joined the criticism, voicing his concerns about the emerging selection criteria in a social media post. The dissenting leaders have issued a stark warning, stating that this unfair distribution could lead to fragmentation of the party's vote bank in the crucial municipal polls, potentially costing the Congress dearly.
The open rebellion, featuring resignations and public allegations from long-standing members, presents a severe challenge to the Congress's unity and prospects in Chandrapur, turning what should have been a campaign launch into a public relations crisis.
