Nagpur witnessed unprecedented political drama on Friday as furious workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegedly locked their own candidate, Kisan Gawande, inside his residence. This extreme protest was triggered by the party leadership's last-minute directive asking Gawande to withdraw his nomination for the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections.
Locked In: The Protest Against Party Diktat
The incident unfolded in Prabhag 'd' of Ward No. 13 on January 2, 2026, which was the final day for candidates to withdraw their nominations for the polls scheduled for January 15. The BJP had issued the crucial 'AB forms'—which signify party approval and grant the right to use its election symbol—to both Kisan Gawande and Vijay Hole. Supporters believed this made Gawande the official candidate.
However, in a sudden move, the party instructed Gawande to step back. When this news spread, his enraged supporters took the drastic step of locking the doors of his house from the outside, confining Gawande and his family members inside. This act laid bare the severe internal dissent and confusion brewing within the Nagpur unit of the BJP.
Emotional Pleas and a Tense Standoff
Trapped inside, Kisan Gawande made an emotional appeal to the workers gathered outside. He stated that while he understood and respected their sentiments, it was his duty to follow the directive of the party leadership. Eyewitnesses reported that he folded his hands and repeatedly requested them to open the lock, but the agitated workers refused, openly expressing their anger towards the BJP's decision-making process.
The core of their resentment was the confusion over the 'AB form'. Workers questioned why the form was issued to Gawande if the party intended him to withdraw later, seeing it as a betrayal of their grassroots efforts.
Leadership Intervenes to Defuse Crisis
The tense situation required high-level intervention. BJP MLC Parinay Fuke arrived at the spot and initiated negotiations with the protesters. After prolonged discussions, the lock was finally opened.
Addressing the media, Fuke outlined the next steps: "We will now sit with all the candidates. All the leaders will be present, and we will place their views before (Devendra) Fadnavis saheb. The decision taken by him will be acceptable to everyone." He assured that development works in the Hazari Pahad area, long associated with Gawande, would continue and that the sentiments of the workers would be respected, with plans for a video conference with Fadnavis.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Kisan Gawande confirmed his withdrawal and displayed unwavering loyalty to the party. "I have no objection to the decision taken by my party seniors. I will campaign for the party in my area," he said. He added that he held no resentment, acknowledging that the BJP had nurtured him from a young age. He also firmly ruled out contesting as an independent, stating, "Whatever the party leadership decides will be acceptable to me. There will be no injustice done to this area."
This dramatic episode highlights the challenges of candidate management and the potent disconnect that can sometimes arise between party leadership and its cadre, especially in the heated arena of local body elections in Maharashtra.
