Flashback 2018: Changes in NCP, BJP infighting marked Yr

Flashback 2018: Changes in NCP, BJP infighting marked Yr

Pune: There was never a dull moment in 2018 as far as politics in Pune was concerned. 

Keeping in mind the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, all major political parties changed the leadership of the city units. Elgar Parishad uniting leftist parties, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray interviewing NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, and Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) fighting for Pune Lok Sabha seat were major political highlights of 2018.

Koregaon-Bhima fiasco 
The year started on a sad note with violence erupting in Koregaon-Bhima on January 1 between members of the two communities. The impact of the riots sent ripples across the State, and changed the entire political scenario of Maharashtra and to a large extent, Pune.

Leaders representing the backward communities took the centrestage of politics in Maharashtra. 

This led to a tussle for votes of backward communities between Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar and Republican Party of India’s (RPI-Athawale) Ramdas Athawale, with both conducting rallies in the city to counter each other.
 
Major changes in NCP
Raj Thackeray interviewing Pawar in Pune was one of most hyped political events, that proved to be a turning point for the MNS. The political projections of MNS changed, with experts claiming it helped Raj revive MNS’s sinking presence in politics.

Ahead of the 2019 elections, former Maharashtra home minister Jayant Patil was elected president of NCP’s State unit. In Pune, young leader Chetan Tupe replaced MP Vandana Chavan as city unit chief.

NCP celebrated its 19th anniversary at a public rally in Pune that was attended by former State minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal - his first after release from jail on bail, effectively ending rumours about him leaving the NCP.

Senior leader Ajit Pawar announced in April that the NCP will contest Pune Lok Sabha seat, which was refuted by the Congress party.
 
Congress Jan Sangharsh Yatra 
The first phase of the Congress’s Jan Sangharsh Yatra against the BJP ended at the SSPMS Grounds in Pune in September. The rally was led by senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress’ newly-appointed general secretary in Maharashtra.
 
Senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Prithviraj Chavan took part in the rally, one of Congress’ largest rally since 2014 in Pune. The arrest of corporator Avinash Bagwe, son of city unit chief Ramesh Bagwe was one incident which shook the Congress. The party blamed the BJP for it, which the ruling party denied. The Congress also shortlisted aspiring candidates for Pune Lok Sabha seat at the city level, to which loyalists objected.

Internal politics in BJP 
Despite gaining a majority in the Pune Municipal Corporation, BJP members seemed to be a confused lot in terms of policy decision-making. The BJP was divided on the parking policy, even BJP-supported MP Sanjay Kakade challenged them over this issue.
 
His meeting with ex- MP Suresh Kalmadi sparked speculations about his intentions of contesting the Lok Sabha elections. Kakade’s comments on BJP’s loss in other state elections were also a hot topic of discussion.
 
Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Human Resource Development made a controversial statement that schools come to the government with a begging bowl asking for funds, when they can ask their alumni to help. He apologised after facing criticism. MP Anil Shirole’s tiff with Guardian Minister Girish Bapat also became evident. 
 

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