Congress president Rahul Gandhi has decided to do the social engineering in Maharashtra on the line of Gujarat for ensuing Lok Sabha polls. As a part of it, Sambhaji Brigade, president Pravin Gaikwad was inducted in party on Saturday, and he is likely to join as Congress nominee in Pune Lok Sabha constituency. Gaikwad will face the senior BJP minister Girish Bapat for the same seat.
According to sources, Rahul Gandhi had informed the Maharashtra Congress leaders to recommend various social organisation leaders who has strong ideological base and following. "Rahul Gandhi wants to enthuse fresh leadership blood in the Congress party. In Gujarat too, Rahul Gandhi had inducted Patidar community leader Hardik Patil, OBC leader Alpesh Thakore and even took help of Dalit face Jignesh Mewani," said a source from Congress.
He further added that the same social engineering, Rahul wants to incorporate in Maharashtra too. The induction of Gaikwad will help the Congress, NCP as well in many Lok Sabha seats adjoining to Pune. Gaikwad is a strong Maratha leader and Sambhaji Brigade has got the strong network across Maharashtra. The 2019 Lok Sabha poll is an ideological poll, and Gaikwad is the best candidate to fight the polls in a city like Pune. He will help to make the Congress base strong in Maharashtra," said sources in Congress.
Pravin Gaikwad who is set to join Congress this Saturday, said that he is committed to defeat the fascist and communal forces in Lok Sabha polls. "I am glad to join Congress. It will give me the larger platform to raise the social and political issue. However, I will do all these work within the party frame work. Now, I am a committed soldier of Congress party now. Whatever the decision party takes, I will accept it. Besides, I will also go anywhere for campaigning as well," Gaikwad said.
Sambhaji Brigade
Sambhaji Brigade came in limelight in 2004 when 150 workers of Brigade ransacked Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune for helping American writer James Laine who wrote objectionabe content about Chhatrapati Shivaji’s mother.
