The Shiv Sena, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP of which Bhujbal is a part, and the BJP comprise the ruling alliance, while NCP(SP) is a constituent of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi
Chhagan Bhujbal. File Pic
Shiv Sena MLA Suhas Kande has accused Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal of campaigning for the rival Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar in the Nashik and Dindori Lok Sabha constituencies.
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Kande chastised Bhujbal for failing to follow coalition norms, pointing out that while he is a minister in the state administration, he openly supports the opposition party. Kande demanded Bhujbal's resignation from the cabinet because of his involvement in the NCP campaign, reported PTI.
"Bhujbal is not following coalition dharma. He is a minister in the state government but is campaigning for Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP). Bhujbal's workers are seen openly with opposition candidates. Bhujbal should resign from the cabinet," said Kande, who is MLA from Nandgaon.
According to the report, in response, Bhujbal denied Kande's allegations, claiming that he was seeking publicity and harming the ruling alliance's nominees. He also underlined the issues that the ruling alliance candidates face as a result of public displeasure with onion pricing.
Bhujbal said that he was personally assisting his party's workers during the campaign and that Kande's criticisms were false. He also laughed about the Shiv Sena winning the Nashik Lok Sabha seat despite Bhujbal's strong campaigning efforts, the report added.
"Dindori (BJP) candidate Bharti Pawar does not need trouble from two kandes (kande is the Marathi word for onions). Kande is our opponent and spreads lies about us. My people cannot work with him and I am helping them personally in the campaign," Bhujbal said.
Bhujbal was in the running for the Nashik Lok Sabha seat until it was given to Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, who renominated sitting MP Hemant Godse, the report added.