Senior leaders from Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) always say that there is no factionalism in the Mira-Bhayandar unit. However, now and then State saffron leadership has appointed senior leaders to erase factionalism and unite the party here. BJP is divided into many factions. Old guards have their own groups while some BJP corporators are with Geeta Jain. The two strong groups are the former MLA Narendra Mehta group and the current party’s district president Adv. Ravi Vyas group. Due to the upcoming municipal election, both groups are playing ‘sheh aur maat’ and factionalism has erupted to its worst.
This is the reason; state leadership are getting a headache. The responsibility of Mira Bhayandar has been given to Pravin Darekar, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council. Despite two attempts to end this factionalism, he has not succeeded. Also, despite the warnings of BJP state president Chandrakant Patil, factionalism has not stopped. Now, former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will take up the issue to resolve this factionalism.
Darekar fails
The Fadnavis had decided to hold a meeting to resolve the factionalism. However, the meeting did not take place due to Fadnavis’s hectic schedule. During this period, the responsibility of Mira Bhayandar has been handed over to Darekar. The leaders hoped that they would resolve the issue amicably. Accordingly, Darekar himself has said in the last members’ conclave that he has discussed with the concerned twice. However, he too has not been able to resolve the dispute. As Darekar and Chandrakant Patil failed to end factionalism, Fadnavis will take the issue into his hands.
The term of Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation will end in August, this year. Elections could be called any time after August, according to a Supreme Court ruling. If BJP wants to retain power in the Municipal Corporation, it has no choice but to resolve factionalism. Otherwise, the ruling BJP will have to face the consequences in the forthcoming elections; party workers are expressing their concern.
Recently, a meeting of BJP workers was held in Maxus Mall, Mira Bhayandar. Pravin Darekar had attended the gathering there. BJP currently has 62 corporators in Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC). Of these, only 10 to 12 corporators were present at the meeting. Most of the corporators belonging to the former MLA Narendra Mehta group boycotted the conclave.
Dada fails
The Mehta faction has refused to accept Adv Ravi Vyas as the party’s district president. So the Mehta group seems to be turning its back on the event organized by Vyas. Pravin Darekar has twice tried to settle the dispute. He also had discussions with former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He then approached Mehta and tried to make him understand the consequences. However, nothing has resulted from this discussion.
BJP had held the rally, in the presence of BJP state president Chandrakant Patil at Maheshwari Bhavan. However, Narendra Mehta and his group of corporators had not attended that rally also. Noticing this, Patil had given a warning without mentioning Mehta’s name. He had said, “BJP Will Fight Upcoming MBMC Election Under Adv Ravi Vyas Leadership”. Despite warnings from the state president, the Mehta faction has continued its policy of not cooperating with Vyas. A few days ago, BJP leader Ashish Shelar along with Akhilesh Chaubey had also come to Bhayandar for the function. Even then, factionalism seemed to be on the rise. However, due to these groups, the general members get confused about where to shift their loyalties. Many seem to be switching the group, according to the power of the group.
