Thane: ‘Expel Murbad MLA Kathore from BJP’

Bhiwandi MP Kapil Patil, Jagannath Patil, Murbad MLA Kisan Kathore. Pics/Navneet arhate

Kisan Kathore, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Murbad, has been accused of working against the interests of the party's Bhiwandi Lok Sabha candidate Kapil Patil. A BJP functionary who officiated as the coordinator for Bhiwandi and Kalyan in the Lok Sabha polls has written to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking action against Kathore.

The letter dated May 30, to Fadnavis from Dombivli-based BJP leader Jagannath Patil has created a stir as it seeks to expel Kathore from the party. This development comes at a time as all parties await the election results, following intense polling and campaigning. The allegations, if proven true, could have significant implications for internal party dynamics in Bhiwandi and Murbad along with the political careers of the individuals involved.

Jagannath Patil's letter to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

mid-day has the copy of Jagannath Patil's letter to DCM. "It all started in the Murbad town panchayat elections where MP Kapil Patil selected four candidates among the 17 seats and remaining were selected by Kathore. The four candidates selected by Kapil Patil lost the elections. This revealed that Kathore acted and campaigned against the candidates recommended by MP Patil to ensure that they lost," said Patil. This was brought to the notice of the senior leaders from the BJP, said Patil.

Following the party's loss in the town panchayat polls, the party had organised a public gathering in Bhiwandi in which Kathore appeared to be aloof. "However, Fadnavis called a meeting at his bungalow, Sagar, where MP Patil, Kathore, Ravindra Chavan were present along with me. MP Patil directly spoke against Kathore. But Kathore was mum and said he didn't want to speak on the issue. He should have spoken to clear the air. His response was also not clear on lending his support to the party candidate for the Lok Sabha elections. This attitude was reflected in the campaigning," he said.

Patil further said during the campaigning it was observed that Kathore supporters were campaigning against the MP in the Bhiwandi constituency. "Kathore had told his supporters that voters from the Agri community should be asked to vote for Balamama Mhatre, while voters from the Kunbi community should be asked to vote for Independent candidate Nilesh Sambare. All these were done to make people vote for the rivals of MP Patil's and thus cause his defeat," he said.

Patil further said after I wrote a letter I got a call from Fadnavis on Sunday night who said he is yet to read the letter. "I asked the party leaders to take strict action against Kathore and expel him from the party. Soon after the results are declared the party will follow the procedure and take actions accordingly," said Patil.
When mid-day spoke to Kathore, he said, "I will speak on these issues on June 4 after the results are declared. I will show them my results and the voting percent in our area."