Despite opposition from a section of party leaders, the Pimpri-Chinchwad unit of BJP on Tuesday roped in former corporator Rahul Kalate, who is known for party-hopping. The last party he joined was NCP (SP). Similarly, NCP on Tuesday roped in an NCP (SP) and a BJP leader into its fold.
Kalate joined BJP in presence of BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, BJP Pimpri-Chinchwad president Shatrughan Kate and BJP Chinchwad MLA Shankar Jagtap at an event in Mumbai. Kalate’s entry, a BJP leader said, would further strengthen the party in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
“Today, I joined BJP to work under the efficient leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. I want to thank the BJP leadership for trusting me and taking into the party fold,” Kalate said. Kalate was earlier in Congress, undivided NCP, Shiv Sena and NCP (SP).
Kalate said he has been fighting for development of the industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad for years. “Since my father Tanajibhau Kalate was a corporator, I have seen the growth of Pimpri-Chinchwad from close quarters. Even as Pimpri-Chinchwad is witnessing development, there are several issues which are agitating the public. I feel we should come up with plans which would take care of city’s needs for next 50 years. I have therefore joined BJP which is capable of ensuring development at a faster rate like it has done at several places in the country,” he said.
Speaking to this paper, Kalate said, ”At this moment, I think BJP is the strongest party in Pimpri-Chinchwad. It is a party for the long-term. It has strong and capable leadership. I am concerned not only with the development of Wakad and nearby areas but also of entire Pimpri-Chinchwad. I will become the voice of the people of Pimpri-Chinchwad. No one can stop me from taking up cudgels on behalf of the people.”
As for the oppostion to his entry into BJP, Kalate said,'”There is bound to be some opposition as I had fought elections against their leaders in the past. But I was in the rival party and that was but natural. Now I am part of the BJP family. I will reached out to the opponents and convince them.”
Reacting to Kalate’s entry, BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap said, ”Our leadership has taken a decision to induct Rahul Kalate into the party and we accept their decision. Kalate’s entry will further strength the party. At the same time, it is true that some leaders of the party are unhappy with his entry. Their opposition to his entry remains.”
Jagtap said their political rivalry with Kalate ends with his entry into the party. ”Ours was never a personal fight it was political rivalry. Now that rivalry ends with his entry into our party,” the MLA said.
Kalate was being pursued by Ajit Pawar-led NCP as well. ”NCP did approach me but in view of the bitter experience of the past when the party did not support me, I decided to join the BJP. I have nothing against NCP. BJP is now my party,” he said.
In the past, Kalate had contested against Laxman Jagtap in the assembly elections but lost thrice. Kalate has served as corporator of Pimpri-Chinchwad having been elected from Wakad area.
Meanwhile, in an interesting development in Mohannagar area, BJP aspirant Ganesh Langote who had started his campaign in the hope that the party will nominate him on Tuesday joined NCP. ”I have worked relentlessly in Mohannagar area for past few years and was hoping for BJP nomination. However, BJP roped in a local NCP leader into party and is likely give her the ticket. I therefore decided to switch over to NCP,” Langote said. Similarly, in Kalbhornagar, Vishal Kalbhor who was with NCP (S-P) also joined the NCP.
Meanwhile, former independent corporator Prasad Shetty, who was elected from Anandnagar area in 2017, joined the BJP.
Both BJP and NCP are busy ”importing” corporators into their party. If political analyst are to be believed, a game of oneupmanship is underway in Pimpri-Chinchwad. ”Yesterday, Sandeep Waghere joined NCP. And immediately today, the BJP held an event to induct Rahul Kalate. At tit for tat is underway in Pimpri-Chinchwad which will continue this week,” said political analyst Avinash Chilekar.