MLA from Khanapur Anjali Nimbalkar missing the Congress Legislature Party meeting in Bengaluru set off speculation that she would soon quit the party to join the BJP.
It created a lot of buzz on social media where some felt that it was natural for a young Maratha to join the BJP. Others said that her move could equip her to help develop Khanapur taluk with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A few opposed her move saying that she was betraying her voters who had chosen her over a BJP nominee in the Assembly polls. Some wondered how could a person born into a Congress family defect to the BJP. Dr. Nimbalkar is a cousin of the former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and the niece of Congress strongman late Shankarrao Chavan.
The rumour was the strongest in Khanapur where it saw both cheers and criticism.
She had to face opposition from some Congress workers who felt betrayed.
Meanwhile, the Khanapur unit of the BJP has opposed the proposed entry of Dr. Nimbalkar joining the BJP after resigning from the Congress. Vithal Patil, Khanapur taluk unit president of the party, held a meeting of party workers on Tuesday and discussed the issue. He announced that the taluk unit had suspended the BJP membership drive as a means of protest.
He later told journalists that the unit had strongly opposed her entry. “Throughout her campaign, she has abused and insulted the BJP and its leaders. Her followers have used fair and foul methods to defeat the BJP candidate. Most importantly, she is not a original BJP or Sangh Parivar leader. How can she be admitted to our party?” Mr. Patil said. He also said that Khanapur has not witnessed any development since she was elected.
He said that the taluk unit workers would not take up any party-related work till a clear announcement was made by the party in the matter.
Vice-president of the unit Pramod Kochori, leaders Sanjay Kumbal, Dhanashree Sirdesai, Baburao Desai, Jitendra Madar, Suresh Myageri, Jyotiba Remani, Vasanti Badiger, Anant Patil, Basavaraj Sanikoppa and others were present.
