NAGPUR: The BJP-led Nagpur Vikas Aghadi
(NVA), the ruling group in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), is
facing a split after just one year in office. Senior most corporator
Raju Lokhande along with his party’s woman corporator Bhavana Dhakane
has decided to part ways with NVA with effect from Monday and has
submitted resignation to mayor Anil Sole. However, leader of ruling
party Praveen Datke said there was no chance of NVA breaking up.

Lokhande told TOI he will submit letter of resignation from NVA to the
divisional commissioner on Tuesday. “I will not back out as I have been
insulted many times. I am fifth time corporator and senior most in NMC. I belong to a small party BRP-BMS and have been treated in improper manner. BJP
leaders including Sole, MLA Devendra Fadnavis and corporator Sandip
Joshi came to me and assured to give our party standing committee post
for five years, 2-3 years as zone chairman, chairman of backward class
committee for one year and also representation in DPC and other big
elections. Our party then extended support to BJP,” he said.

Lokhande added BJP did not keep its word. “Fadnavis even said Nitin Gadkari
was thinking of giving us deputy mayor post. Our party’s two
corporators were among 17 independent and small party corporators. Now
the team is split and a few other corporators may also part ways with
NVA,” he said.

Datke said it was NVA’s internal matter.
“Lokhande seems upset right now but has no intention to part ways. We
did not commit anything and there is no question of not fulfilling
demands. NVA is committed for city’s development,” he said.