NCP(SP)’s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) Leader Sanjog Waghere Likely to Join BJP Ahead of PCMC Polls
NCP(SP)’s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) Leader Sanjog Waghere Likely to Join BJP Ahead of PCMC Polls
Chinchwad: As Pimpri-Chinchwad gears up for the upcoming civic elections, two prominent political figures are preparing to switch sides and join the BJP. NCP(SP) leader Rahul Kalate and Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjog Waghere are expected to enter the party soon, bolstering BJP’s efforts to reclaim power in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.
Waghere confirmed on Friday that he has resigned from Shiv Sena (UBT) and will be joining the BJP in the coming days. “The joining might happen tomorrow or soon. The timing has not been finalised yet,” he said.
Kalate, meanwhile, declined to share details regarding his move. “Wait for some time, you will come to know everything,”
However, his entry has triggered internal opposition within the BJP’s Pimpri-Chinchwad unit. Several party leaders held a press conference on Thursday, publicly protesting Kalate’s potential induction. They alleged he frequently shifts parties for personal gain and claimed his inclusion could damage the party’s image. They also argued that offering key posts to newcomers would be unfair to long-time party workers.
The leaders further accused Kalate of past misconduct, including assaulting an RSS office-bearer and a PCMC officer. Present at the press conference were BJP city vice-presidents Vishal Kalate and Ram Wakadkar, OBC cell city president Chetan Bhujbal, and leaders Bharati Vinode, Srinivas Kalate, Navnath Dhavale, and Amol Kalate, among others.
Despite the resistance at the local level, Kalate’s supporters said the BJP’s top leadership is in favour of his entry. They claimed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has approved the move. They also said Ajit Pawar had approached Kalate to rejoin the NCP, but he declined due to past differences.
