New Delhi Chronicle Staff Reporter
Mumbai/Parbhani: In a major political shake-up in Maharashtra, senior Congress leader and former MLA Suresh Warpudkar, who has long held influence over the Parbhani District Central Cooperative Bank, officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday. His move, along with hundreds of his supporters, is being seen as a significant setback for the Congress in Marathwada ahead of upcoming local body elections.
BJP Strengthens Its Base in Parbhani
With Warpudkar’s entry, BJP leaders believe the party’s presence in Parbhani district will be further strengthened. His induction is viewed as a key step in the BJP’s strategy to make inroads in Marathwada before the municipal and Zilla Parishad polls.
Alongside Warpudkar, several office bearers and former corporators from Parbhani and Hingoli districts also joined the BJP.
Speaking at the induction event, BJP state president Ravindra Chavan said,
“Under the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas,’ we aim to ensure development reaches every citizen of Parbhani. With the experience of a leader like Suresh Warpudkar, we are confident of delivering positive results for the people of Maharashtra.”Top BJP Leaders Welcome Warpudkar
The event witnessed the presence of several senior BJP leaders, including Maharashtra ministers Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Atul Save, and Parbhani’s guardian minister Meghana Bordikar. They all extended a warm welcome to Warpudkar and emphasized the importance of uniting the party’s grassroots base in the region.
Another Setback for Congress on the Horizon?
Adding to Congress’s worries, reports suggest that Kailas Gorantyal, former Congress MLA and current state vice president, is also in talks with BJP leaders. If Gorantyal switches sides, it could deal another heavy blow to the Congress in Marathwada.
Gorantyal, who lost the last Assembly election, had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Congress leadership, alleging that some party functionaries worked against him during the polls. His possible defection could further weaken Congress’s already fragile hold in the region.
What This Means for Maharashtra Politics
Warpudkar’s move is being seen as a calculated step by the BJP to consolidate its strength in Marathwada. As local elections approach, the BJP is working to attract more influential Congress leaders to its camp, with Ashok Chavan reportedly playing a key role behind the scenes.
If these political realignments continue, Marathwada’s political landscape could undergo a dramatic shift in favor of the BJP.
