BJP has been ‘splitting parties’ for its entire history: Maharashtra minister

Ahead of the local body elections, the Maharashtra Minister of Sports and NCP leader Manikrao Kokate has criticised the BJP, an alliance partner in the State, for “creating splits and divisions” for the entirety of its political history.

The BJP, Mr. Kokate said is “fully diluted.” “The conflicts are only amidst the Mahayuti. The election struggle is in our alliance. The Opposition is nowhere to be seen. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) can still be seen, but they are diluted. Splits here, splits there, the BJP is only creating divisions. Amid all this, veteran workers are sitting at home, as many did not get tickets.

Mr. Kokate was speaking at a campaign meeting in Nashik district’s Sinnar region in Maharashtra for the upcoming Nagar panchayat and Nagar parishad elections scheduled for December 2.

The BJP has fired back, highlighting that this is why he lost the Agriculture ministry.

BJP Nitesh Rane said, “CM Devendra Fadnavis will give the right answer. He is showing why he was made the sports minister from the agriculture minister.” BJP leader Parinay Fuke said, “He is making such statements because he is bored with playing rummy.”

Mr. Fuke was referring to an incident involving Mr. Kokate, when he was found playing rummy on his phone while the Assembly was in session and the opposition demanded his resignation as Agriculture Minister. He was dismissed from the position and given the sports ministry.

During the meeting, he also said, “BJP poached one of my family members in the Assembly elections and has since poached a member of MP Rajabhau Waze’s family. BJP is a diluted party.”