Former MP and BJP leader Navneet Rana did not attend a public meeting organized by revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday morning. The event took place at Sai Nagar Prabhag in Amravati. Her absence drew significant attention from political circles.
Background of the Political Rift
Tushar Bhartiya, one of the four BJP candidates in the prabhag, reportedly played a role in Navneet Rana's defeat during the last Lok Sabha elections. Bhartiya faced suspension from the BJP but rejoined the party after one year. He is now contesting against Sachin Bhende, who represents the Yuva Swabhiman Sena led by MLA Ravi Rana.
Alliance Breakdown and Campaign Dynamics
Navneet Rana recently inaugurated the election campaign office of Sachin Bhende. This move followed a roadshow by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis just a week earlier. At another rally a few days ago, Navneet Rana made a clear statement. She declared she would not support any BJP candidate who worked against her in the Lok Sabha polls.
When people questioned her actions, Navneet Rana emphasized her loyalty to the BJP. However, Ravi Rana fielded forty-one candidates against the BJP despite their alliance. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule tried to convince Ravi Rana but failed. Consequently, the BJP ended its alliance with the Yuva Swabhiman Sena.
Intensified Campaign Efforts
The BJP has now ramped up its campaign against Ravi Rana. During a campaign event in Chaprasipura, Bawankule invited two independent candidates instead of nominees from the Yuva Swabhiman Sena. This decision visibly demonstrated the fallout between the two groups.
The BJP is fully committed to ensuring the victory of Tushar Bhartiya and other party candidates from Sai Nagar Prabhag. Meanwhile, Ravi Rana is throwing his complete support behind Sachin Bhende. Bhende works as a contractor with the Amravati Municipal Corporation.
Allegations and Voter Outreach
There are serious allegations against Sachin Bhende regarding his campaign tactics. He is accused of wooing voters with gifts like schoolbags, tiffin boxes, shawls, and blankets. The Marwadi community in the prabhag appears to be backing Bhende strongly.
Although the prabhag has a rich BJP vote bank, Bhende seems to have made significant inroads. Political observers viewed Bawankule's meeting at Sai Nagar as a show of strength. The rally aimed to counter any potential threat posed by Bhende's candidature.
Key Figures at the Rally
Former MP Dr Anil Bonde attended the event along with BJP city president Dr Nitin Dhande and Nivedita Choudhary. All the candidates were present on the dais. Chandrashekhar Bawankule addressed the gathering with a direct message.
He stated that voters should ensure BJP's victory in the civic elections if they want their demands fulfilled. The political landscape in Amravati remains highly charged as the civic polls approach.
