Kolhapur: In a significant political development, two corporators from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) who won the Sangli Miraj Kupwad Municipal Corporation elections approximately five months ago have switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Announcement by State BJP President
Ravindra Chavan, the president of the Maharashtra BJP unit, made the announcement via his social media platform, confirming that Suresh Lakshman Bandgar and Yuvraj Shivajirao Gaikwad have officially joined the saffron party. The move comes as a setback for the NCP (SP), which managed to secure only three seats in the corporation elections.
Role of District Guardian Minister
Chandrakant Patil, the district guardian minister, facilitated the induction of the two corporators into the BJP. The defection underscores the shifting political dynamics in the region.
Election Context and Support for BJP
In the corporation elections, the Congress party emerged as the frontrunner with 18 seats, while the NCP (SP), led by MLA Jayant Patil, won only three seats. Bandgar and Gaikwad were elected from the same ward. During the subsequent mayor and deputy mayor elections, both corporators extended their support to BJP candidates. Now, they have formally joined the party.
Reasons for Joining BJP
Speaking to the Times of India, Gaikwad stated, “We have received assurance from the BJP leadership to address pressing issues such as drainage systems, water supply, and the development of open spaces in our constituency.” This assurance was a key factor in their decision to switch parties.
Implications under Anti-Defection Law
Since two out of the three NCP (SP) corporators have joined the BJP, they will not attract disqualification under the anti-defection law. The law allows for mergers if at least two-thirds of a party’s legislators in a house agree to merge with another party. In this case, the number of corporators is small, and the move is seen as a consolidation of support for the BJP in the municipal corporation.
