Mumbai, July 14 (UNI) Maharashtra Revenue Minister and BJP leader Chandrakant Bawankule today said that leaders and workers from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) are joining the BJP not because of any inducement or pressure, but because Uddhav Thackeray himself is not in touch with his grassroots workers.
“Uddhav doesn’t meet his workers. He’s unable to take care of them. That’s why they are coming to the BJP on their own,” Bawankule said. “We are neither luring anyone nor threatening them to join us,” he said.
“The BJP’s strength lies in its active outreach and grassroots work. We have 137 MLAs who are constantly in touch with the people and solving their problems. That’s the reason the party is growing,” he added.
Responding to allegations that Deepak Kate, a BJP office-bearer and a close associate of Bawankule, was involved in blackening the face of Sambhaji Brigade founder Pravin Gaikwad, the minister said just because someone appears in a photo with a leader “does not mean they are close associates”.
Leaders often click photos with various workers, and it’s not possible to know everyone’s background, he said.
Despite acknowledging Kate’s BJP affiliation, Bawankule demanded strict legal action against him.
