‘Dinner diplomacy’ with revenue minister for newly elected corporators

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

On Wednesday evening, 57 newly elected BJP municipal corporators met with revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule for a ‘dinner diplomacy’ aimed at consolidating the corporators. The event was hosted at the residence of city president Kishor Shitole. Corporators were instructed not to leave the city until the mayor and deputy mayor elections are complete.

With the party holding a clear majority and just one seat short for absolute majority, BJP avoided gathering corporators outside the city to prevent any internal friction. There was no indication of dissent among the corporators, so the party did not restrict their travel.

Over the next five years, the core committee of BJP is considering giving opportunities to 19 corporators across various positions: eight corporators serving as mayor or deputy mayor for 15 months each, five as standing committee chairpersons, five as house leaders, and one as group leader. Positions in ward committees and standing committees may be rotated two to three times among corporators.

Lobbying exposed

On Tuesday, state president Ravi Shinde Chavan held meetings to gauge lobbying for the mayoral post. Some local leaders provided separate updates to Bawankule and Chavan, giving him a comprehensive understanding. Certain self-proclaimed leaders outside the party are lobbying senior BJP leaders to influence mayoral candidacy. Since the majority guarantees positions, it is expected that the mayoral “lottery” should be open to all elected corporators, prompting active lobbying by interested members.

Mayor and deputy mayor will be of BJP

BJP city president Kishor Shitole said, “Both the mayor and deputy mayor posts will go to BJP. There is no plan for two deputy mayors. The dinner with the revenue minister was primarily intended to ensure cohesion among corporators. The group leader will be officially announced on Thursday morning.”

Factionalism in Shinde Sena

Within Shinde Sena, eight corporators form one group and five form another, creating uncertainty over who will be the group leader. Even 20 days after municipal elections, the leader of the 13-member group has not been decided due to internal disagreements. At present, it is also unclear what positions Shinde Sena will get in the municipal corporation.