Saoli Congress leader Nikhil Surmawar says he is not switching parties after BJP MLA's visit
Saoli market committee director Nikhil Surmawar said he remains with Congress and Vijay Wadettiwar after BJP MLA Kirtikumar Bhangdia visited his home.
Nikhil Surmawar, a director of the market committee in Saoli and a young Congress leader, called a press conference to make clear that he is in the Congress. BJP MLA Kirtikumar Bhangdia had visited his home. Since then, for four days, there had been all kinds of talk in Saoli's political circles and on social media.
Surmawar is considered close to Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar. Wadettiwar is the MLA from Brahmapuri constituency and Bhangdia is the MLA from Chimur. The two are regarded as staunch rivals. Bhangdia's visit to the home of Surmawar, seen as a firm supporter of Wadettiwar, therefore became a talking point. Surmawar said his opponents exploited the meeting.
Surmawar held the press conference at MLA Wadettiwar's public relations office in Saoli. He said, "I am always with the Congress party and MLA Vijay Wadettiwar is my party, I will stay with him in future too." He thus rejected the talk of a change of party outright.
On Bhangdia's visit, Surmawar said Bhangdia himself phoned to say he was coming to his home for tea, and then came. According to Surmawar, the Congress and the Surmawar family have a tradition of welcoming guests, so he welcomed him. He said the meeting had no political context.
Surmawar also said Avesh Pathan is his friend and that Pathan's birthday was being celebrated at the time. According to him, no political discussion took place. Referring to reports and talk on social media asking "Will he join the BJP?", he said, "I am in the Congress and I am always with Vijay Wadettiwar."
Surmawar also spoke on the upcoming Zilla Parishad election. He said that if the Congress party ordered him to contest from any area, he would contest as the party directs.
Surmawar also made an appeal. He said, "Opponents are trying to create confusion in the party, but workers should not believe such talk." After the press conference, he once again reiterated that he is with the Congress and Vijay Wadettiwar.
Taluka Congress president Nitin Gohane, women's taluka president Usha Bhoyar, Saoli mayor Sadhana Wadhai, Congress city president Krishna Raut, market committee chairman Raju Thakre, former Panchayat Samiti chairman Vijay Korewar and market committee vice-chairman Pramod Dajgaye were present at the press conference. Councillors Sachin Sangidwar, Pritam Gedam, Munna Rasse, Praful Walke, Ashish Manbattuwar, Ashish Punyapawar and Prashant Rainchwar, along with hundreds of Congress office-bearers and workers, also attended.
