Pune: The BJP is trying to quell rebellion by offering aspirants from Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad plum posts in various development boards and appointments as MLCs. A letter with the names of some aspirants, including chairmanships to various federations and state boards, was circulated widely on social media on Wednesday and Thursday. It featured the names of some aspirants.
Former leader of the house for BJP in PMC Shrinath Bhimale was among them. On Thursday, he claimed that he will contest the election from Parvati constituency where his party has a sitting MLA in Madhuri Misal. "I have worked for the party for 30 years in Parvati constituency.
I will fight the polls," he said at a press conference. Rajesh Pande, another probable BJP candidate, said there are talks of such allotments but does not have any official communication about his appointment. Pacifying the hopefuls is tougher for the BJP in 2024 due to its alliance with other parties.
Unlike the two previous assembly polls in 2014 and 2019 when the BJP fought all eight assembly seats in Pune, the party is likely to contest six seats (Kasba Peth, Shivajinagar, Parvati, Kothrud , Pune Cantonment, Khadakwasla). The NCP will put up candidates in two seats. Several functionaries, including former elected members and corporators, want to contest from Kothrud, Kasba Peth, Parvati, and Chinchwad, which could lead to discontent, sources said.
These include former standing committee chairman Hemant Rasane and city unit chief .
