Maharashtra BJP Leaders Face Uncertainty Over Poll Tickets

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule addressed concerns about party leaders potentially leaving to join the opposition if they don't receive desired poll tickets. He urged patience among party members but acknowledged that they can't prevent anyone from switching sides if determined to do so.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday stated that the party cannot prevent leaders from leaving if they are determined to contest the assembly polls on seats held by the party's allies in the ruling Mahayuti coalition.

Bawankule emphasized the need for patience among party members seeking poll tickets. Addressing media queries in Nagpur, he clarified that if BJP leaders Samarjit Ghatge and Harshvardhan Patil choose to defect to the opposition NCP (SP) due to denied poll tickets, they cannot be stopped.

Speculation places Ghatge aiming for a ticket from Kagal in Kolhapur and Patil targeting his previous Indapur seat in Pune, both controlled by the NCP led by deputy CM Ajit Pawar. As elections approach, Bawankule noted that several leaders from the MVA may join BJP but stressed that tickets would still require patience and party decision.

(With inputs from agencies.)