Pune Congress leaders rebel as Aba Bagul goes independent

In Pune, India, three senior Congress leaders, Aba Bagul, Kamal Vyavhare, and Manish Anand, have announced their decision to contest the upcoming Assembly elections as independent candidates. This development comes amid growing frustration among party members regarding ticket distribution for the polls. The leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction with the party's choices and the lack of communication with higher-ups like Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Aba Bagul, who has been a councillor in the Pune Municipal Corporation for 40 years, emphasized his commitment to the party's ideals and his determination to fight for representation in the Parvati Assembly constituency. He voiced concerns over the party’s diminishing presence in Pune, where it once held significant power. Kamal Vyavhare, the former mayor, revealed her history of being denied a ticket due to not having a political family background, thereby leading her to pursue an independent candidacy. Manish Anand, a long-time member of the Congress, also shared that his supporters' expectations for him to contest were not met by the party's decisions. Their independent runs signal a deepening fracture within the party, especially in an area considered a stronghold of Congress. This situation raises fears about the fragmentation of the Congress party and its potential loss of influence. The move signifies a pivotal moment in Pune's political landscape, which could have broader implications in the upcoming elections.