Resort politics: BJP moves Bhandara-Gondia councillors to secured location before MLC polls

Nagpur: The MLC polls in Bhandara-Gondia constituency is witnessing political fireworks with BJP moving some of its councillors to a secured location on Friday, a day after Congress alleged pressure from investigative agencies on their candidates to withdraw. Sakoli MLA Nana Patole on Thursday claimed two of their three nominees, Praful Agrawal and Dilip Bansod, had to withdraw due to intimidation, but the third candidate, Naresh Ishwarkar, refused to back down.Congress took a swipe at BJP for its "resort politics", a term used when parties take their legislators to a secured and supervised location so that opposition does not wean them away, despite having the numbers. BJP MLC Parinay Fuke, who is overseeing strategy and logistics for the constituency, said, "Why should we not take them away for a trip? A marriage is happening so the ‘baarat' has to go."Fuke dismissed the allegation of intimidation on Congress candidates and turned the charge around. Talking to TOI, he said, "It was Patole who asked Bansod to withdraw because he feared defeat, hence it is shocking we are being blamed for this. Also, I would like to ask Patole why his candidates withdrew if they are innocent. If one has not done anything wrong, why does it matter who is trying to intimidate you."Fuke earlier represented the same constituency as an MLC and was later elected back to the council through the MLAs constituency. "My tenure ends in 2030, hence I wanted a dedicated BJP member to take over in Bhandara-Gondia. Our candidate Avinash Brahmankar will win hands down."Known as a backroom poll strategist, Fuke said this time the votes are in Mahayuti's favour. "We have guaranteed 321 votes of 457, so there is nothing to fear. When I contested from this constituency a long time back, we just had about 100 votes and yet I managed to win," he said.