The comment, made during a BJP workers’ meeting in Pune, has triggered sharp reactions from the opposition and raised eyebrows across the political spectrum.
Bawankule was addressing party workers at a district-level meeting in Pune when he made the remark. Referring to recent crossovers, including the entry of former Congress MLA Sangram Thopte from Bhor into the BJP, he asked cadres not to worry about new entrants.
“Even if Congress leaders join the BJP, tickets will be given to loyal party workers first,” he assured them.
His comments come amid reports of discontent among BJP cadres after Congress leaders were inducted into the BJP. Attempting to calm the unrest, Bawankule emphasised that loyalty to the BJP will be valued during candidate selection.
Later, speaking to the media, Bawankule defended his remark, saying, “If Congress leaders can’t manage their own party, what can I do?” He further claimed that Congress workers no longer have confidence in their leadership.
His provocative remarks, however, didn’t go unnoticed.
Congress state president Harshavardhan Sapkal responded strongly, accusing the BJP of functioning like a “witch devouring Congress leaders.” At an event in Parbhani, Sapkal said, “BJP knows its real electoral strength comes from poaching Congress’s grassroots leaders and workers, despite having tall names like Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis. We condemn this political strategy.”
Bawankule also spoke about improving access to government power structures. He announced that the BJP will now assign Personal Assistants (PAs) to 19 ministers in Maharashtra. These PAs will help BJP workers connect with ministries, get their work done efficiently, and make the government feel more accessible.
“Our workers feel hesitant about entering ministries. Congress workers knew how to use power; ours don’t. That must change,” he said.
He further urged BJP workers not to feel discouraged and to continue working with strength and conviction. “No one should feel helpless. This is your government, your minister, your system. Use it well,” he told his party cadre.
The comment has reignited the debate over party poaching in Maharashtra politics. While the BJP views defections as strategic gains, the Congress sees them as signs of ethical erosion in democracy.
Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut also criticised Bawankule’s statement, saying, “The old BJP led by Vajpayee, Advani, Pramod Mahajan, and Sushma Swaraj was different. They gave strength to their own party cadre and pushed them to leadership roles. But this new BJP is taking leaders from other parties.”
“If they allege that the Congress party has insulted Veer Savarkar, then how does it become acceptable for them to induct Congress leaders into the BJP?” Raut asked.
ALSO READ: ED’s ‘Operation Dhappa’: Former MLA accused of laundering ₹500 crore caught roaming in a hotel bar
