While the local body polls are around the corner, bickering between Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders in Konkan region has emerged, weakening the party’s chances of a victory. NCP MLA and former minister Bhaskar Jadhav from Guhagar in Ratnagiri district expressed his disappointment with the party on Thursday.
Addressing a gathering of his workers in Chiplun in Ratnagiri district, Mr Jadhav said that he was upset with the party. “I am not happy with the party. My workers have been neglected by the party and not given any position. I cannot tolerate more injustice against these workers. I am not leaving the party,” Mr Jadhav said in the gathering. There were reports that the NCP MLA might shift to the BJP, as he does not have a good relationship with party president Sunil Tatkare who also hails from the Konkan region.
NCP on Wednesday announced it would make Mr Jadhav responsible for the local body polls in Ratnagiri. However, Mr Jadhav has refused to lead the district in the elections. He has complained that his workers were never given any importance in the decision-making process of the party. Sources said Mr Jadhav is putting pressure on the NCP demanding some positions for his men. Mr Tatkare’s influence, which is considerable in the Konkan, is reportedly hindering Mr Jadhav.
Mr Jadhav, originally a Shiv Sena man, joined NCP in 2005. He was elected to the legislative council from NCP in 2006. He was also made a minister of state for urban development during the Congress-NCP regime. He also served as the state president of NCP in 2013.
