Ahead of Civic Polls, BJP Expels 16 Rebel Leaders in Maharashtra’s Washim

Washim: In a major organizational crackdown ahead of the Maharashtra civic body elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled 16 rebel leaders and office-bearers in Washim district for contesting against the party’s officially authorised candidates. The civic elections are scheduled to be held on 20 December.

The expelled leaders have been suspended from the party for six years, a move seen as a strong message to enforce discipline within the organisation before the crucial municipal polls.

Action Taken for Indiscipline
The strict action was initiated by BJP District President Purushottam Chitalange, who said that filing nominations against party-authorised candidates amounts to serious indiscipline and anti-party activity.

“Such actions undermine party unity and organisational strength. The BJP will not tolerate indiscipline at any level,” Chitalange said, adding that the decision was necessary to maintain cohesion and discipline within the party.

Warnings Were Ignored
Party sources revealed that the suspended leaders—ranging from district-level office-bearers to city-level functionaries—had earlier been warned to withdraw their nominations and adhere to party directives. However, they ignored repeated instructions and proceeded to contest against BJP candidates.

The disciplinary action includes members from the Women’s Wing, Youth Wing, and various party cells, highlighting the scale of the rebellion.

List of Suspended Leaders
Those suspended include District Secretary Karuna Kalle, District Women’s Wing General Secretary Chhaya Pawar, former corporator Prabhakar Kale, former BJP Yuva Morcha President Vaibhav Ulemale, Rajesh Vishwakarma, Asha Khatke, Gajanan Thengde, former District Vice-President Dhananjay Hendre, Washim City Vice-President Sangeeta Pinjarkar, Madan Rathi, Mukesh Chaudhary, Anant Rangbhaal, Uttar Aghadi Cell head Sawantsingh Thakur, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Cell chief Sachin Pendharkar, Women’s City Vice-President Anita Ingole, and Gajoo Landge.

BJP Issues Stern Warning
The BJP leadership has made it clear that this action is not the final step. The party warned that even stricter measures would be taken against any leader or worker found indulging in anti-party activities in the future.

Party workers have been urged to respect organisational decisions and work unitedly for the victory of authorised candidates in the upcoming civic elections.

Political observers see this decisive action as a strategic move to reinforce discipline and strengthen the party’s organisational structure ahead of the municipal polls.