BJP Divided: Infighting Erupts in Sambhajinagar Unit Over Mayoral Candidate Selection for CSMC Polls

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad): As the countdown begins for the high-stakes Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself battling an internal crisis. Instead of presenting a united front against the opposition, the local unit of the party is reportedly divided into two warring factions over the selection of the Mayoral candidate.

According to party insiders, the conflict has intensified following the breakdown of the Mahayuti alliance at the local level, forcing the BJP to contest all 115 seats independently. Now, the question of "Who will be the face of the party?" has triggered a power struggle between loyalists and new aspirants.

The Two Camps: Boralkar vs. Shinde

The rift primarily revolves around two prominent local leaders, each backed by a significant section of the party cadre.

1. The Shirish Boralkar Faction: A strong group within the local committee is lobbying for current city president Shirish Boralkar.

   • Argument: Supporters argue that Boralkar has successfully strengthened the party's organizational structure over the last few years. They believe his leadership is crucial to countering the Shiv Sena (UBT) and AIMIM influence in the city.

   • Strategy: This faction is pushing for a "loyalty-first" approach, emphasizing that the Mayoral face should be someone who has consistently worked for the party's expansion.

2. The Raju Shinde Faction: On the other side, a vocal group is rallying behind Raju Shinde, the former deputy mayor and a seasoned politician with grassroots connect.

   • Argument: Shinde’s supporters claim he has better "electability" and administrative experience. They argue that in a tough multi-cornered contest, the party needs a mass leader who can pull votes from diverse communities, not just core BJP voters.

   • Influence: Shinde, who previously defected from the Shiv Sena to join the BJP, brings a network of personal supporters that the party cannot afford to alienate.

The 'Core Committee' Meeting Drama

The division became apparent during a recent core committee meeting held to shortlist candidates.

• Reports suggest that heated arguments were exchanged between the two groups.

• Senior state leaders had to intervene to calm tempers, but no consensus was reached.

• A third, smaller faction is also emerging, suggesting that the party should not announce a Mayoral face at all and instead fight under the collective leadership of Devendra Fadnavis and PM Narendra Modi to avoid alienating any group.

Impact on the Election Campaign

This internal bickering comes at a terrible time for the BJP.

• Opposition Advantage: The split in the Mahayuti alliance (with Shiv Sena-Shinde faction fighting separately) has already divided the vote bank. If the BJP's own house is not in order, it gives a direct advantage to the Shiv Sena (UBT) and AIMIM, who have consolidated their respective voter bases.

• Ticket Distribution Chaos: The indecision over the leader is also affecting ticket distribution for corporator seats. Aspiring candidates are unsure which faction to align with to secure a ticket, leading to confusion and potential rebellion.

High Command to Step In?

With the local leadership unable to break the deadlock, the ball is now in the court of the state leadership. Sources say that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule are likely to visit the city soon to broker a truce. The high command may opt for a "surprise candidate" or enforce a strict discipline code to quell the dissent.

Conclusion: For the BJP, winning the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar civic body is a matter of prestige. However, before they can defeat their political rivals, they must first resolve the battle within. Whether the party chooses Boralkar, Shinde, or a dark horse will determine their fate in this crucial election.