Deadlock resolved after 6.5 hours; ZP subject committees elected unopposed

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Three members remained adamant until the very end over securing their names in the zilla parishad (ZP) Standing Committee, Water Management Committee, and Construction Committee. Even as attempts were made to resolve their objections, the committee chairperson eventually gave in. Finally, at around 6.30 pm, all three withdrew their nominations, leading to the unopposed election of all ten subject committee members after nearly six and a half hours.

A special general body (GB) meeting to elect members of ten subject committees was held on Wednesday at the Marathwada Mahsul Prashikshan Prabodhini hall. The deadline for filing and withdrawing nominations was between 10 am and 12 noon. Except for three members—Uddhav Sena’s Krishna Patil Dongaonkar and Vidya Gaikwad, and Shinde Sena’s Swati Patekar—others withdrew their nominations to avoid an election.

ZP president Avinash Galande, Ketan Kaje, and BJP local leader Ramukaka Shelke attempted to persuade the dissenting members so that all ten committees could be elected unopposed. Their efforts finally succeeded at around 6.30 pm.

Members left waiting since morning

Nearly all members arrived at the above venue in the morning for the meeting. While some intended to file nominations and others were prepared to vote if an election was held, members who had travelled from rural areas were made to wait in the hall throughout the day. The meeting continued until around 7 pm.

Behind-the-scenes discontent

An eight-vote quota had been fixed for the subject committee elections. Uddhav Sena leaders had recommended Manoj Gayake for the standing committee. However, as Gayake was a new member, Krishna Patil Dongaonkar and Vidya Gaikwad’s husband, Ramesh Gaikwad, expressed dissatisfaction and filed nominations for the standing committee.

Dongaonkar also filed a nomination for the Water Management Committee. Eventually, after being assured of a position in the District Planning Committee (DPC) for Gaikwad, he withdrew his nomination. Dongaonkar’s selection for the Water Management Committee was finalised, but he remained firm on his stance until the end. His objections were resolved only at around 6.30 pm.

Meanwhile, Shinde Sena’s Swati Patekar had filed a nomination for the Construction Committee. She too was assured of a position and subsequently withdrew her nomination. Eventually, all ten subject committee members were elected unopposed.

Subject committees include

Standing Committee, Water Management Committee, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Committee, Social Welfare Committee, Education and Health Committee, Construction and Finance Committee, and Women and Child Welfare Committee, among others.