After Congress leader’s son, party MLA set to join BJP
Kalidas Kolambkar (inset), a seven-time MLA, cited lack of development in his constituency as the reason for switching over to the BJP
In yet another setback for the Congress party in the state, it’s MLA from Wadala-Naigaon constituency Kalidas Kolambkar is set to join rival BJP.
“I worked in the Congress party for 10 years. But they stopped a lot of development work in my constituency. I support those who work,” Kolambkar told ANI.
The senior leader stated that two of his demands have already been fulfilled by the BJP. His third demand for a police housing project in his area is still pending as model code of conduct for Lok Sabha polls is already in effect.
Kolambkar, a seven-time MLA, has also reportedly replaced the Congress signboard outside his office and replaced it with a portrait of Devendra Fadnavis. He is set to join the party in a week’s time.
“After Devendra Fadnavis took over as Chief Minister, I told him about the work needed to be done in my area and he completed those works. Then, whose photo should I put? Those who work or those who don’t?” said Kolambkar.
The senior leader, who was with the Shiv Sena before Congress, was in touch with BJP leaders recently.
“Not only him, but several others are also in touch with us. You will come to know about them shortly,” Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan said.
The development comes a day after Sujay Vikhe Patil, the son of senior Congress statesman and leader of opposition Radha Krishna Vikhe Patil, joined the BJP.
Sujay, a practicing neurosurgeon, was upset over not getting the party’s ticket from Ahmednagar, considered the stronghold of the Vikhe Patil family.
