Pune News: BJP Leader Amol Balwadkar Alleges Vendetta Politics After IT Raids On Brother-in-Law’s House
Pune News: BJP Leader Amol Balwadkar Alleges Vendetta Politics After IT Raids On Brother-in-Law's House
In a shocking turn of events, former Pune Municipal Corporation corporator and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Amol Balwadkar has accused his own party of engaging in vendetta politics. The allegation comes after the Income Tax department conducted searches at his brother-in-law’s house in Wagholi on Tuesday.
According to Balwadkar, the IT raids were motivated by his decision to challenge Cabinet Minister Chandrakant Patil for the Kothrud assembly seat. Balwadkar had sought the BJP ticket for the constituency but was denied, with Patil being re-nominated in the party’s first list of candidates.
Balwadkar expressed outrage over the raids, stating that his brother-in-law, Abhijeet Katke, is a renowned wrestler and two-time Maharashtra Kesari title winner with no connection to politics. “I was shocked to hear about the action against my relative… today I felt I too am being targeted deliberately,” he said.
The BJP leader claimed that IT officials repeatedly asked about him during the searches, further fueling his suspicions. “So far, I only heard allegations from the opposition about misuse of agencies to quell them, but today I felt I too am being targeted deliberately,” Balwadkar said.
State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule had visited Balwadkar’s residence last week to convince him to back out of the contest. However, Balwadkar remains resolute, hinting that he may contest the election as a rebel. “If they were trying to scare me, it won’t happen. I will soon decide whether to contest the poll after consulting my supporters,” he said.
The development has sparked tensions within the BJP, with Balwadkar’s supporters questioning the party’s decision to re-nominate Patil. The outcome of this internal conflict will be crucial in determining the future of the BJP in the Kothrud constituency.
As the assembly elections approach, the rift within the BJP is likely to intensify. Will Balwadkar’s rebellion against Patil and the party leadership succeed, or will the BJP’s internal dynamics prevail? The answer will be revealed in the coming weeks.
