Alhad Bhandarkar to contest Nagpur graduates' seat as independent if BJP denies ticket
RSS-linked Alhad Bhandarkar says he will file nomination on the 5th or 6th even without BJP backing, adding to the party's troubles before Legislative Council polls.
Elections are due in the state for the Legislative Council's graduates' and teachers' constituency seats. The graduates' constituencies are Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pune and Nagpur, while the teachers' constituencies are Amravati and Pune. Ahead of the polls, the BJP's difficulties have grown, as Alhad Bhandarkar has announced that he will contest.
Bhandarkar is a grandson of education stalwart Bapu Saheb Lakhanikar and has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for several decades. He has decided to contest from the Nagpur graduates' constituency and has sought the BJP's nomination. His stand is set to make the contest in the Nagpur graduates' election more interesting.
Since a BJP ticket is not certain, Bhandarkar will file his nomination as an independent on the 5th or 6th. He has said plainly that he will be in the fray even if the BJP does not field him. He asked why only Nagpur district is given priority.
An angry Bhandarkar asked, "Are there no qualified graduate candidates in other districts such as Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Wardha?" Associated with the Jana Sangh and the RSS, Bhandarkar has a large network of educational institutions in Bhandara district, which is likely to make the contest tough.
Meanwhile, the Congress has named its candidate for the Amravati teachers' constituency. Aditi Pohare has been finalised as the party's candidate for the Legislative Council election. For the Pune teachers' constituency seat, the BJP, the NCP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) are all staking claim.
After the Pune teachers' constituency, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has also sought the graduates' constituency. Bhausaheb Andhalkar, a leader of the faction, wants to contest from the Pune graduates' constituency. Andhalkar has earlier contested the Barshi Assembly seat for the Shiv Sena.
Andhalkar said, "I have built a strong network in the Pune graduates' constituency. So the party should not sideline me." He is demanding that the party not ignore him.
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