“Nation First… then the Party, and lastly the Self”; BJP City President Shatrughna Kate sets an example!

Pimpri-Chinchwad | The Bharatiya Janata Party conducted the process of distributing application forms to aspirants wishing to contest the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections. On the final day today, more than 650 aspirants collected forms. Significantly, city president Shatrughna Kate himself, following party protocol, also collected a form expressing his willingness to contest. Through this action, he underlined the party’s principle: “Nation first… then the party, and lastly oneself.”

The ward structure for the municipal election has been finalized, followed by reservation allotment. BJP leader and Minister of Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil recently held a review meeting in the city. Local representatives and core committee office-bearers were present. As instructed by party leadership, aspirants were asked to collect the forms, fill them accurately, and submit them to the party office within the stipulated time. These applications will be verified and then forwarded to the state office. The city president was directed to carry out this process.

Meanwhile, there has been a rush of aspirants wishing to contest the elections on a BJP ticket. There are a total of 128 seats in the city. However, more than 650 aspirants have already collected forms from the public relations office at Morwadi, Pimpri. On the other hand, some aspirants have still not collected the forms as per party protocol. They should collect them within the stipulated time, appealed Moreswar Shedge, the organization general secretary.

City president Shatrughna Kate is set to contest from his stronghold—Municipal Ward No. 28, which includes Five Gardens, Shivar Garden, Planet Millennium, Kapse Lawn, Ramnagar, Pimple Saudagar, Kunal Icon, Rose Icon, and Govind Garden. After becoming city president, he conducted more than 200 programs and initiatives within just six months. His work with party workers is based on four principles: “effective organization, public service, party loyalty, and development of the last person in the chain.” While selecting the executive committee, he personally interviewed more than 300 workers willing to work at the city level and built his “team” through that process. This was noted by the party at the state level.

Reaction:

“The BJP is a disciplined party. Whether it is elections or organization, party protocol is paramount. I am interested in contesting from Ward 28, and therefore, following party procedure, I collected the application form. Most aspirants have already collected their forms; others too should collect them and submit them within the deadline set by the party leadership. The forms will be verified and then submitted to the state office. Last-minute applications will not be considered. Thereafter, the party leadership will finalize candidates based on confidential surveys, winnability, and active participation in party work. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the guidance of state president Ravindra Chavan and senior party leaders, we are confident that the ‘lotus’ will bloom once again in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.”

— Shatrughna Kate, City President, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune.