Congress dumps Bangde in Chanda, fields ex-Sena MLA Dhanorkar

NAGPUR: In a last minute drama, Congress on Sunday withdrew the nomination of Vinayak Bangde from Chandrapur Lok Sabha constituency replacing him with Suresh (Balu) Dhanorkar, who resigned as Shiv Sena MLA from Warora-Bhadravati to join the party. Bangde has been with Congress since 1974 in various capacities including head of local city unit.

Congress has tied itself into knots in Chandrapur, first backing former minister Vilas Muttemwar’s son Vishal to contest against Union minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir. Vishal withdrew voluntarily and the party declared Bangde as its candidate as a non-controversial person equidistant from from all local warring factions.

Sources stated even NCP supremo Sharad Pawar had intervened after learning of the ongoing crisis in Chandrapur Congress. It is learnt NCP wanted to field its candidate in Chandrapur and offer Raver seat in Jalgaon to Congress as they felt Bangde was not having resources or merit to capitalize on the anti-incumbency factor against Ahir. NCP district president Sandeep Gaddamwar too stated their choice was Dhanorkar as his winning merit was more than Bangde’s.

Announcement of Bangde’s name triggered an immediate turmoil. Dhanorkar, who had quit Sena to fight against Ahir, flew to Delhi along with local Congress bigwig Vijay Wadettiwar and others. Wadettiwar, Shivajirao Moghe and Congress president Ashok Chavan eventually persuaded the Central Election Committee to field Dhanorkar.

Dhanorkar said Congress high command amended its decision after learning of reality. “They picked me on learning about my sacrificing MLA seat and eagerness to fight on their ticket on a larger turf. My work was recognized,” he said. Apart from backing of top leaders like Chavan, Wadettiwar and Moghe, Dhanorkar attributed his getting the ticket on his mass appeal. “The people’s emotion has been respected by the party high command,” he said.

Dhanorkar dismissed the idea he may not get support from Congress veteran Naresh Puglia as he was being supported by Wadettiwar and state president Chavan. “He (Puglia) is a fatherly figure to me and I don’t see any reason why he would not stand by me,” he said,

Wadettiwar said BJP had dominated Chandrapur constituency for two decades. “Hence, it was necessary for us to field a strong candidate. The workers wanted someone who can wrest the seat from BJP. The feeling was conveyed to the high command that finally relented,” he said. “I express my gratitude to the high command for having heard the voices of the workers and sentiments making rounds in social media,” he said.

There was a flurry of posts over Congress’s nomination of Bangde including an audio clip where a senior leader is purportedly heard voicing his intention to resign from party post.

The change, however, triggered a response from some leaders of Teli community, to which Bangde belongs. They called for boycott of polls over Congress denying ticket to their candidate. Messages had started making the rounds on social media in favour of Bangde and questioning Wadettiwar for his alleged partial behaviour.

A disappointed Bangde said, “It is proved now that only persons with resources and wealth can get favour from the party,” he said.