Pune: The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections took place on April 19. After that, preparations in the constituencies that are included in the second and third phases are in full swing. Party workers and leaders from both sides, i.e., Mahayuti and Mahavikas Aaghadi, are actively campaigning for their candidates and ramping up meetings with supporters.
Amidst all this, in the Pune constituency, a stark picture is seen. On the one hand, Mahayuti’s candidate, Murlidhar Mohol, has started campaigning in full fervour; on the other hand, the Pune Congress is grappling with internal strife among party workers. There have been discussions in political circles that Pune Congress’ long-standing loyalist, Aba Bagul, has been upset with his party high command after being denied a party ticket for the Lok Sabha election.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, when Prithviraj Chavan had come to Pune’s Congress Bhavan for Dhangekar’s campaign, a few party workers of Congress raised slogans against Aba Bagul in front of them and demanded the removal of Aba Bagul from the party.
A few days ago, Aba Bagul visited Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur. After that, Balasaheb Thorat tried to reconcile and attempted to remove Bagul’s discontent.
“To go to those who are discontent and talk to them is our job,” said Balasaheb Thorat after visiting Aba Bagul. However, after that, two office-bearers of Congress displayed banners in Congress Bhavan. “Strong condemnation of those who visited BJP leaders in Nagpur” was written on those banners. At that time, party workers also gave the slogan ‘Gaddar Bhagao, Congress Bachao’ (Remove Traitors, Save Congress).
After this, it will be interesting to see what actions Aba Bagul and the Pune Congress will take.
