Pune: Devendra Fadnavis Eases Tensions in Kothrud as BJP Leader Amol Balwadkar Withdraws Bid, Backs Chandrakant Patil

Pune:

With less than 48 hours remaining for nomination filings in Maharashtra’s assembly elections, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has successfully averted a potential internal revolt within the BJP’s Kothrud ranks. Fadnavis, alongside BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, persuaded local leader Amol Balwadkar to withdraw his independent candidacy, ensuring unified support for sitting MLA Chandrakant Patil from Kothrud.

Balwadkar, a BJP leader, was willing to contest elections this year on behalf of the BJP from Kothrud Assembly Constituency. For this, he had reached every house in the constituency through various programs. However, the BJP declared the current MLA Chandrakant Patil as a candidate from this constituency. After that, Amol Balwadkar was seen to be upset with the party.

There was also a discussion that he would rebel and file an independent candidacy from Kothrud assembly constituency. This prompted immediate efforts by BJP leaders to resolve the issue. Accordingly, the BJP state president, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis tried to persuade Balwadkar.

Fadnavis reportedly played a key role in bridging the gap between Chandrakant Patil and Balwadkar, culminating in a public gesture where Patil offered Balwadkar a pedha to remove his displeasure. Balwadkar subsequently announced his support for Patil and his withdrawal from the election.

While speaking at this time, Balwadkar said, “I have been working on the party’s principle of keeping the nation first, the party second, and oneself last for years. I am very proud to be a part of this party. The aim has always been to serve the people, and I have fulfilled it as a representative of the people. But in line with the upcoming assembly elections, I had expressed my desire to contest the elections to fulfil the expectations of the people of Kothrud assembly constituency. But the party gave the candidature to Hon’ble Chandrakant Dada Patil from Kothrud.”

Balwadkar further said that he had some differences of opinion with Patil over the development issues of Kothrud. However, today, those differences have been removed through the Deputy CM Fadnavis. At this time, Balwadkar also announced his decision to withdraw from the election and showed his support to Chandrakant Patil.

He further said that he would continue his work for the betterment of the people and work for the party in the upcoming assembly election.