BJP expels Amravati rebels

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party expelled three leaders from Amravati for six years and issued show-cause notices to over 100 corporators in Pune this week for defying party directives during the Maharashtra legislative council elections.

The party took these disciplinary actions to neutralize internal rebellion against Mahayuti alliance candidates and enforce organizational rules by mandating written explanations from the Pune representatives within five days.

The disciplinary action in Amravati stems from the seat-sharing arrangement of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The Amravati Teachers constituency was allocated to the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which fielded sitting legislator Kiran Sarnaik. Defying this arrangement, BJP leaders Sangita Shinde, Chandrashekhar Bhoyar, and Sumit Pawar filed independent nominations.

This rebellion reportedly upset Chief Minister Shinde, prompting his faction to initiate maneuvers to support independent candidate Sachin Sanap against the BJP’s official nominee, Kaustubh Gawde, in the Pune Teachers constituency.

Under pressure to salvage alliance unity, the BJP expelled its three Amravati rebels for a period of six years, thereby sending a message of solidarity to the Shiv Sena and attempting to halt retaliatory political moves in Pune.

Simultaneously, the BJP faced mass absenteeism in its Pune stronghold. Over 100 corporators skipped the official campaign launch event for the party’s Pune division graduates and teacher’s constituency candidates. The gathering was presided over by BJP state president Ravindra Chavan and attended by Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, state minister Chandrakant Patil, and Mayor Manjusha Nagpure.

Noting the empty chairs, house leader Ganesh Bidkar personally verified the attendance in the hall. The party immediately served show-cause notices to the absent corporators, instructing them to submit a formal clarification within five days.

The BJP has 119 elected and seven nominated corporators in the Pune Municipal Corporation, bringing its total strength to 126. A final decision on disciplinary measures will be taken after senior leaders review the submitted explanations.

Beyond party discipline, the Amravati Teachers constituency election has drawn attention for a stark shift in campaign methods. Traditionally focused on direct communication with educators regarding their grievances, the election is now characterized by large vehicle convoys, modern campaign mechanisms, and widespread allegations of cash and Paithani saree distribution among voters.

A formal complaint has already been registered in Achalpur regarding voter inducement. Despite the influx of money and political muscle, the core demands of the teaching community remain centered on the old pension scheme, grants for unaided schools, and pending salary issues.