PCMC corporators confused over Pawar

PUNE, May 21: Most Congress corporators in Pimpri-Chinchwad, today appeared confused and directionless following the expulsion of Sharad ...

PUNE, May 21: Most Congress corporators in Pimpri-Chinchwad, today appeared confused and directionless following the expulsion of Sharad Pawar as they kept their options open whether to continue to be in the party or join the new national front floated by Pawar. Contrary to expectations, there was no spontaneous support for Pawar from the party corporators, and while a signature campaign in his support was initiated in the morning, it was not clear how many corporators had actually signed it.

Meanwhile, a one time close confidant of Pawar and Congress MLC Ramkrishna More

who holds a significant sway in the politics in Pimpri-Chinchwad, made a scathing attack on Pawar. He urged party members to firmly support the Congress.

The corporators met this morning at the residence of the ruling party leader Nana Shitole, and initiated the signature campaign. However till evening the party leader could not confirm the number of corporators who had stated their support for Pawar.

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Shitole said that there will be nearly 35 corporators of the 47 total Congress corporators in the municipal corporation, who will support Pawar. About seven to eight independents of the total ten who support the Congress, will also support Pawar, he said. Shitole went on to add that they continue to hold Pawar in high esteem and “we all will follow him blindly and support all his decisions”.

The corporators were signing on a statement which condemned the manner in which the CWC arrived at its decision to expel Pawar. The statement said that the corporators will firmly support whichever party or front floated by Pawar.

However, a former deputy mayor, opined that the signature campaign was of very little significance. The corporators still appear hesitant even for this, he said.

Shitole said that the statement in support of Pawar will be sent to the All India Congress committee. Shitole maintained that the corporators continue to be in the Congress, but if the AICC expuls the corporators, we will go out of the party. He claimed that there will be no significant effect on the local politics, particularly in the corporation.

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Former mayor Azam Pansare, who is a staunch supporter of Pawar, declined to make any comment on whether he would join the new national front floated by Pawar. He said he would make a statement on Saturday. Standing committee chairperson Shamim Pathan, also a follower of Pawar, too refused to make any comments and give any replies on whether she had signed the statement in support of Pawar.

Meanwhile, the BJP local unit, was apparently pleased with the political developments, with most leaders opining that these would largely benefit the BJP and the Shiv Sena.