In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections, several disgruntled party workers who had rebelled against their parties' ticket distribution decisions went deliberately 'unreachable' on Friday. This strategic move was to avoid last-minute pressure from senior leaders, as it was the final day for the withdrawal of nominations.
Loyalty Ignited Rebellion
The core of the rebellion stemmed from a widespread feeling among long-time party workers that they were being sidelined in favor of newcomers. These loyalists, who had served their parties for decades, felt betrayed when ticket distributions allegedly favored individuals based on financial clout or perceived influence rather than grassroots service.
One such defiant candidate, Madhavi Patil from Ward 20, voiced the sentiment of many rebels. She stated that while parties rely on their loyal cadre to mobilize crowds and ground support, they are often overlooked when it comes to rewarding them with candidature. "Once I decided to rebel, I refused to withdraw my nomination," she asserted, highlighting the resolve of several like-minded individuals.
The Final Numbers and Notable Withdrawals
After a flurry of last-day activity, the electoral landscape for KMC has crystallized. From an initial flood of 813 nomination papers, a total of 274 candidates stepped back. This leaves 543 candidates in the fray for the 81 corporator wards.
The elections will be conducted across 20 wards of the municipal corporation. Wards 1 to 19 will elect four members each, while Ward 20 will elect five members.
The list of those who withdrew includes several prominent political figures, indicating intense behind-the-scenes negotiations. Key withdrawals were:
- Former KMC mayor Hasina Faras
- Former corporator Mayadevi Bhandare
- Former standing committee chairman Indrajit Salgar
- Former corporator Rahul Chavan
- Krishnaraj Mahadik, son of Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik
Additionally, a significant number of NCP candidates, including Yogita Kodolikar, Shruti Amit Patil, and Geeta Ajit Tivade, among others, also withdrew their papers. Rebellion was reported across major parties like the BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP.
Party Leadership's Response and Assurances
Reacting to the discontent, MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar acknowledged the right of every worker to seek candidature but defended the parties' tough choices. He explained that decisions are made after careful consideration of party surveys and local dynamics. He urged those not selected to not feel wronged.
In a bid to placate the rebels who fell in line, Kshirsagar revealed that party workers who withdrew their nominations have been promised fair treatment. These assurances include appointments to various positions in state, district, and taluka-level committees, nominated corporator roles in the KMC, and important committees such as education and transport in the near future.
Parallel Drama in Solapur and Sangli
The phenomenon of rebellion and reconciliation was not confined to Kolhapur. In the Solapur Municipal Corporation elections, the BJP claimed a successful operation in persuading most of its rebels to withdraw their nominations. This development has paved the way for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to attend rallies in Ichalkaranji and Sangli on Saturday.
Solapur BJP MLA Mahesh Kothe even convinced his own aunt to withdraw her nomination. He expressed confidence that in wards where rebels remain, the party would approach them for support. However, the situation is complicated by Solapur MLA Subhash Deshmukh, who is upset over ticket allocation and is backing 26 independent candidates, setting up multi-cornered contests.
In the Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation, a similar trend was observed. Out of 652 nominations filed for 78 seats, 301 candidates withdrew, leaving 381 in the contest. The political alliances here see BJP and Shiv Sena contesting jointly, Congress and NCP (SP) in an alliance, with NCP also in the fray separately.
As the campaign intensifies, the actions of the 'unreachable' rebels in Kolhapur and the complex negotiations in neighboring civic bodies underscore the high-stakes and often personal nature of Maharashtra's municipal elections, where party loyalty is being tested against individual ambition.
