Pune: Former BJP corporator Amol Balwadkar has publicly accused state minister and Kothrud MLA Chandrakant Patil of employing pressure tactics to sway the selection process for the Kothrud constituency candidate.
Balwadkar, who has been preparing to contest the upcoming election, has voiced serious concerns about Patil's methods, alleging that they have compromised the self-respect of other aspiring candidates and undermined the party's internal democratic process.
Speaking at a press conference, Balwadkar said that he remains optimistic about receiving the party’s nomination from Kothrud but condemned what he described as “undue pressure” exerted by Patil during a recent internal voting exercise conducted by BJP observers.
This process, which sought inputs from party officials and workers on suitable candidates for the upcoming elections, was allegedly influenced by Patil’s actions.
Balwadkar claimed that Patil pushed party officials to support his own re-nomination while disregarding the aspirations of other candidates, including Balwadkar himself and another hopeful, Shyam Deshpande.
Balwadkar stated, “Being an aspiring candidate is not a crime. It is part of our internal democracy. But what has happened here is an affront to that spirit, as party workers are being humiliated and sidelined.”
He accused Patil of harming the party’s image through such pressure tactics, which have led to widespread dissatisfaction among workers in the Kothrud constituency.
In a pointed remark, Balwadkar said, “If late MP Girish Bapat were here, this would never have happened. I’ve been preparing for the election in Kothrud for the last two months, but BJP observers have excluded me from the process. Minister Patil doesn’t attend any of my events. Is being an aspiring candidate a crime?”
Balwadkar also revealed that he had informed senior BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and former minister Raosaheb Danve, about the situation. However, no action has been taken so far. Balwadkar expressed disappointment, noting that the silence from senior leaders is concerning.
Balwadkar also accused Patil of leaking a confidential party survey, which should have remained internal. Balwadkar claimed that his own outreach to over 35,000 families in the constituency has garnered overwhelming support, and he urged the party’s observers to consider this feedback before making a final decision.