Daijiworld Media Network - Karjat
Karjat, Jul 11: BJP's Chhaya Sunil Shelar was on Friday elected unopposed as the president of the Karjat Nagar Panchayat, following a political realignment in which BJP corporators joined hands with members of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP).
The official announcement was made by Returning Officer and Sub-Divisional Officer Nitin Patil during a special meeting, as Shelar was the sole candidate to file nomination for the post.
The election has triggered political speculation as it brought together corporators aligned with Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Prof. Ram Shinde of the BJP and MLA Rohit Pawar of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).
The development assumes significance amid ongoing speculation that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP could extend support to or join the NDA. However, no official announcement has been made regarding such a political move.
Following Shelar's election, all 13 corporators present at the meeting were felicitated with traditional turbans. Supporters celebrated the victory with drum beats, bursting of crackers, distribution of sweets and a procession before offering prayers at the shrine of the local deity, Godhad Maharaj.
Among those present were Jamkhed Nagar Panchayat President Pranjal Chintamani, Chairman Kakasaheb Tapkir, Amit Chintamani, taluk president Anil Gadade, district president Dadasaheb Sonmali, Kakasaheb Dhande, corporators Prasad Dhokrikar, Sunil Yadav, Shantilal Kopnar and Ravindra Supekar, besides district women's wing president Pratibha Renukar.
Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Shelar said the land of Godhad Maharaj did not tolerate dishonest politics and that excesses of any kind would not be accepted.
He thanked Ram Shinde for keeping his promise by giving an opportunity to a person from an ordinary family to lead the civic body.
Referring to criticism from political opponents, Shelar said allegations that Ram Shinde and Rohit Pawar had joined hands only to remove encroachments in the town were baseless. He accused the opposition of indulging in politics through false allegations and misleading people, adding that such politics would not be accepted by the public.
Meanwhile, MLA Rohit Pawar clarified that Chhaya Shelar had originally been elected as a corporator on the Nationalist Congress Party's ticket and symbol.
Pawar said he had been occupied with statewide campaigns on issues such as farmers' loan waivers, demands of MPSC aspirants and better onion prices, and had therefore entrusted local party leaders with decision-making regarding the Karjat Nagar Panchayat.
After the election, supporters of both the BJP and the NCP-SP celebrated together, raising slogans in support of Ram Shinde and Rohit Pawar.
Former Nagar Panchayat president Namdev Raut said the decision to work with the BJP had been taken by local leaders after Rohit Pawar authorised them to take an appropriate decision.
He said the alliance between the BJP and the NCP-SP corporators was aimed at prioritising public welfare and accelerating the town's development, adding that the arrangement would prove beneficial for Karjat.