BJP clamps down on internal criticism

Pune: Differences in the BJP have come to the fore as the party recently issued a show cause notice to corporator Amol Balwadkar for criticising the party during the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) General Body meeting. 

Balwadkar, who had earlier expressed his disappointment over party affairs, expressed shock and surprise over the show cause notice. Earlier, the BJP had sent notices to corporators for not following party discipline.

On Monday, during the General Body meeting, Balwadkar criticised the party saying the PMC administration has given no response to issues raised by him. He said he had sent several letters to the local ward office to solve issues, but no one bothered to consider them. He said that due to his continuous efforts in Panel - 9 (Baner- Balewadi- Pashan), which was earlier as NCP bastion, the party had become stronger.

However, he added that he has no choice but to think of other options if the party is not keen on solving citizens’ problems.

The party has taken a serious note of Balwadkar’s speech. Shrinath Bhimale, Leader of House in PMC, has issued the show cause notice. Bhimale has instructed Balwadkar to give an explanation for criticising the party openly.

Bhimale said, “It is the party’s internal matter. We have sent a notice and sought an explanation. This is not the way to express feelings in a meeting. This is not the first time we have sent a show cause notice. Earlier, I had sent a notice for not being present at the General Body meeting and voting.”

Amol Balwadkar told Sakal Times, “I have done a lot of development work in Baner area as a party corporator. I was expecting better treatment from the party. I just raised this matter in the General Body meeting. I haven’t said anything against the party.” He further said, “I got 15 different letters from the civic administration to solve Baner’s issues. It hasn’t happened earlier. The General Body is a forum to discuss issues. So, I raised my voice in the meeting. I haven’t done anything wrong. People support me as I have done a lot of work for them.”

Citizen forums support Balwadkar 
Citizen forums from Aundh, Baner, Balewadi and Pashan on Thursday met corporator Amol Balwadkar and lend support to the stand taken by him in the PMC General Body meeting.

Sandip Kadam, Aundh-Baner Ward Officer, said, “We are doing the work on time and solving issues of citizens and corporators. The long-pending works will take time to solve, as it depends on the condition of the area and the ground reality.”

Mandar Raravikar, Founder of Aundh-Baner-Balewadi-Pashan Vikas Manch, Rajendra Chuttar, President of Baner Pashan Link Road Vikas Samiti, and Vaishali Patkar, President of Aundh Vikas Mandal, all said issues like garbage, construction of roads, stray dogs, empty public amenities, encroachments and parking issues haven’t been solved for years.