Pune: Internal tensions within the Pune BJP have become visible after the party’s decision to renominate Hemant Rasane for the Kasba Peth Assembly seat in the upcoming elections.
BJP city president Dheeraj Ghate, a long-standing advocate of the Hindutva and a prominent local leader, expressed his disillusionment through a social media post that has since gone viral, revealing dissatisfaction with the selection process within the party’s ranks.
While the BJP recently announced candidates for key constituencies under the Mahayuti alliance, with Madhuri Misal, Chandrakant Patil, and others retaining their candidacies, the choice of Rasane for the Kasba Peth seat has particularly stirred controversy.
In Kasba Peth, where Ghate, Rasane, and Kunal Tilak (son of the late MLA Mukta Tilak) had all been actively preparing and vying for the candidacy, the decision to select Rasane over Ghate has raised questions about internal unity and morale among party members.
Ghate’s post, which stated, “You want a pro-Hindutva government, but not a candidate who has served Hindutva for 30 years…,” highlights a brewing sense of frustration and perceived sidelining among local leaders who feel overlooked despite years of service to the party’s ideology.
Party insiders note that Ghate’s discontent underscores a broader sentiment among BJP's grassroots activists, who feel that senior leadership is making decisions that may not fully represent the interests of loyal workers.
The issue has sparked discussions across political circles in Pune, with many speculating about the impact Ghate’s disappointment might have on local party dynamics and the unity of the BJP's campaign in the constituency.
Party leaders have yet to officially address Ghate’s post, leaving many to wonder how senior BJP figures will reconcile the emerging rift and whether this incident could affect their standing in a highly competitive constituency.
As the Kasba Assembly seat prepares for a three-way contest between BJP’s Hemant Rasane, Congress’ Ravindra Dhangekar, and MNS’ Ganesh Bhokare, political observers are keenly watching how the BJP will manage its internal rifts and whether the sentiment expressed by Ghate will resonate with local supporters.
