Chandrapur, Jan 20 (NationPress) In the wake of a notable success in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections, a significant rift has developed within the local Congress party unit, culminating in an open confrontation between Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and party MP Pratibha Dhanorkar.

The discord, revolving around the choice of local leadership and control of the organization, has necessitated the intervention of the State Congress President.

Dhanorkar has made serious accusations against Wadettiwar, alleging that he has been forcibly coercing newly elected corporators. The tensions reached a boiling point during recent discussions on appointing crucial office-bearers in the district.

According to reports, both leaders are advocating for their respective supporters to be placed in key positions within the Chandrapur civic body and the district party structure.

The division became apparent as supporters from both factions began to operate autonomously, circumventing the traditional party hierarchy. This schism became particularly pronounced after the Congress party emerged as the largest faction by securing 27 out of 66 seats, while the BJP claimed 23 seats in the Municipal Corporation. These election results have set the stage for challenging coalition negotiations.

This internal friction is not a new phenomenon but has intensified since the Lok Sabha elections. Sources indicate that the dispute centers on the selection of the District President and other executive posts, with both leaders keen on consolidating their influence ahead of future local and state elections.

“Instead of uniting to form a government after winning 30 seats, Wadettiwar is creating factions by forcibly taking corporators from their residences,” Dhanorkar charged.

She also mentioned that her faction has relocated the remaining corporators to a hotel for their safety. Dhanorkar, representing the Lok Sabha constituency that includes Chandrapur, issued a strong warning to Wadettiwar, asserting that he should not meddle in her domain.

“Chandrapur is my Lok Sabha constituency; he must keep his distance. If this situation continues, we will intervene in his Brahmapuri Assembly constituency,” she threatened.

She escalated the stakes further by threatening the party high command: “If our demands go unaddressed and the party believes it can do without us, we are ready to submit a mass resignation.”

In response, Wadettiwar asserted that his primary goal is for the Congress party to secure victory in the mayoral election following its success in the civic body elections.

Recognizing the escalating “cold war” that jeopardizes the party’s standing in the Vidarbha region, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshwardhan Sapkal has called for an emergency meeting. The state leadership aims to mediate between the two prominent figures to avert further division.

“The party cannot afford internal discord in a stronghold like Chandrapur,” remarked a senior party official. “The state president will meet both leaders to address misunderstandings and finalize a leadership structure that is mutually agreeable.”

The intervention by the state party chief is particularly crucial, especially since the BJP has initiated efforts to mobilize support for winning the mayoral election. Former minister Sudhir Mungantiwar claimed that some Congress corporators are in contact with the BJP. While Congress grapples with its internal strife, the BJP is closely monitoring the developments.

Despite holding only 23 seats, BJP leaders are hinting at a potential power shift. BJP legislator Kishor Jorjewar stated, “While Congress leaders are busy abducting their own corporators, we remain united. Our guiding leader, Sudhir Mungantiwar, is exploring every avenue to see if the BJP can establish its own Mayor amid this disorder.”

The political rivalry between Vijay Wadettiwar and the Dhanorkar family is deeply entrenched in the power dynamics of Chandrapur district. The division significantly heightened during the selection of candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Wadettiwar had strongly advocated for his daughter, Shivani Wadettiwar, to be the party’s candidate for Chandrapur. However, the party high command opted for Pratibha Dhanorkar, the widow of the late Suresh “Balu” Dhanorkar, who was the only Congress MP from Maharashtra in 2019.

The disagreement also reflects community representation dynamics. While Wadettiwar is a prominent leader of the Teli community, Dhanorkar enjoys substantial backing from the Kunbi community. This has led to a strategic struggle over who claims the title of “mass leader” in the district.

Wadettiwar, who represents the Brahmapuri constituency, has historically been the face of the party in this region. Nevertheless, Dhanorkar’s recent victory in the Lok Sabha election has amplified her influence, resulting in a clash of egos as she seeks a more significant role in district affairs traditionally overseen by Wadettiwar.

The outcome of the forthcoming meeting with the State President is perceived as vital for the Congress party’s cohesion in Vidarbha, as the rift between these two influential figures could provide an opportunity for the BJP if not addressed.

The BJP is poised to take advantage of this discord. If Dhanorkar’s faction follows through on its threat of resignation, or if Wadettiwar’s faction remains marginalized, the BJP could potentially form alliances with independents or a splinter group from Congress to secure the Mayor’s position.