BJP clips Sanjay Kakade’s wings

BJP clips Sanjay Kakade’s wings

PUNE: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-sponsored MP Sanjay Kakade was not invited for a crucial meeting of the party on Thursday. This gave rise to speculation in political circles that his wings have been clipped as he was tom-tomming about his being the likely party candidate for the Lok Sabha elections. 

The BJP held a Lok Sabha poll review meeting over the party’s work and planning for the Pune seat, headed by party State Unit President Raosaheb Danve. The party has conducted such meetings in 41 Lok Sabha constituencies across the State till date. 

By not inviting Kakade, the BJP has sent the right message to him. Kakade has been bragging about his clout with the party leadership and projecting himself as the BJP candidate for the Pune Lok Sabha seat. 

According to sources, Kakade has openly told party functionaries that he is confident about getting the nomination from among nine aspirants. Sitting MP Anil Shirole and another Lok Sabha aspirant Girish Bapat are surprised by his sudden move. 

Addressing the media, Danve said only those party functionaries who were invited, were present for the meeting. This statement clearly indicated that the BJP does not consider Kakade as a party functionary. Therefore, he would not be considered as a Lok Sabha candidate for the Pune constituency.

City party Unit President Yogesh Gogawale said the state unit president is conducting review meetings of all Lok Sabha constituencies in the State ahead of the general elections. It is a regular organisational programme. It was a planned meeting. 

According to the Bhartiya Janta Party, party rules, only elected members, including legislators, corporators and booth committee presidents. 

Last year, Kakade made a statement that he had worked a lot during the last civic elections to ensure Bhartiya Janta Party, victory in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Hence, the party should consider his candidature for the Lok Sabha. 

Now, he has started conducting meetings in various parts of the city with small political groups. Earlier, Kakade met former MP Suresh Kalmadi on the latter’s birthday and wished him. They also had dinner with RPI President Ramdas Athavale. 

Within a few years, Kakade has strengthened his position in the Bhartiya Janta Party, though he is not even a party member. 

Earlier, he had supported the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). 

Several attempts were made to contact Kakade, but he was not available for comment.

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