A political tussle between Shiv Sena MLA Suhas Kande and Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal of the NCP came to the fore on Thursday as Kande accused Bhujbal of campaigning for the rival Nationalist Congress Party (SP) in Nashik and Dindori Lok Sabha seats.
The Shiv Sena, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP of which Bhujbal is a part, and the BJP comprise the ruling alliance, while NCP (SP) is a constituent of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.
“Bhujbal is not following coalition dharma. He is a minister in the state government but is campaigning for Sharad Pawar’s NCP(SP). Bhujbal’s workers are seen openly with opposition candidates. Bhujbal should resign from the cabinet,” said Kande, who is MLA from Nandgaon.
In Dindori, the BJP has chosen to field Union Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pawar once again, pitted against NCP (SP) candidate Bhaskar Bhagre. Dindori is one of the 13 constituencies in Maharashtra set for polling in the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on May 20.
“If he has become a minister, he has been made one under the “Mahayuti” quota. However, when it comes to campaigning, he is doing so for the NCP symbol. If you love the “Tutari” (The NCP’s election symbol) so much, then I beg you to resign as a minister and work for the NCP (SP),” Kande said while addressing supporters in his Assembly constituency Nandgaon
Bhujbal, however, refuted the allegations, and said he was dedicated to ensure victory for the Mahayuti candidate. “Our people are working diligently. I have told my people that if we have differences with the local MLA, we should carry on our work separately to ensure the victory of the Mahayuti alliance,” he said.
Kande and Bhujbal, representing the adjoining constituencies of Nandgaon and Yevla respectively, maintain a strained relationship.
Kande faced some legal issues in the mid-2000s, with cases filed against him and even the police in Nashik trying to kick him out of the area. He began his political journey with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) but later switched to the Shiv Sena. Back in 2014, he tried to win a seat in the Assembly against Bhujbal’s son but didn’t succeed. However, in 2019, he managed to defeat Pankaj Bhujbal, removing the Bhujbal family from Nandgaon.
When the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was formed and Bhujbal became Nashik’s guardian minister, Kande got uneasy. He felt like Bhujbal was trying to end his political career. This tension between them even caused public arguments during government meetings.
Dindori is set to cast vote in Phase 5 on May 20, giving enough time for discussions and deals. This Lok Sabha seat includes six Vidhan Sabha segments: Nandgaon, Kalwan (ST), Chandwad, Yevla, Niphad, and Dindori (ST).