The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nagpur is grappling with a significant internal revolt, threatening to derail its campaign for the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections. A wave of mass resignations by local office-bearers and grassroots workers has erupted in its traditional strongholds of Laxmi Nagar and Civil Lines, exposing deep discontent over candidate selection.
Rebellion Erupts Over "Parachuted" Candidates
The unrest, which came to a head on Tuesday, is concentrated in prabhags 14 and 16. Local cadres have expressed fierce opposition to what they term the "parachuting" of outside candidates into their wards, arguing that this practice sidelines dedicated leaders who have built the party's presence on the ground for years. This move has severely disrupted the party's electoral preparations at a critical juncture.
Prabhag 16D: A Snub to Local Leadership
The most intense friction was witnessed in prabhag 16D. Here, office-bearers and activists are outraged by the party's decision to field a candidate from a different ward, bypassing local leader Niraj Dontulwar. Dontulwar, who serves as the personal assistant to BJP MLC Sandip Joshi, has been instrumental in leading civic initiatives in Laxmi Nagar and adjoining areas for several years.
His supporters have labeled his exclusion from the ticket a "betrayal" of loyal service. The discontent runs so deep that even core BJP voters in the area have reportedly threatened to either choose NOTA (None of the Above) or vote for the opposition in protest.
Sadar Ward Sees Collective Resignation
In a parallel development, the Sadar ward of prabhag 14 saw local BJP leaders submit mass resignations. This protest was triggered by the denial of a ticket to Sunil Agarwal, a well-established local figure. Protesting workers argued that the central leadership's preference for external, strategically picked candidates over proven local leaders is alienating the party's core organisational strength.
"The workers resolved to resign collectively," stated a local functionary, highlighting that the frustration stems primarily from a perceived lack of transparency and consultation in the candidate selection process.
Rebellion Spreads to Former Mayor's Family
Adding to the party's woes, the rebellion has also touched the family of a senior leader. Vinayaka, the husband of former mayor Archana Dehankar, rebelled and filed his nomination form from prabhag 17-D as an independent candidate. This move came after both he and his wife sought party tickets but were denied, indicating that the discontent over ticket distribution is not limited to the lower ranks.
This internal crisis presents a serious challenge for the BJP as it seeks to consolidate its position in the Nagpur civic polls. The mass resignations and open rebellion underscore a rift between the party's ground-level workers and its decision-making apparatus, potentially weakening its campaign in key areas.
