Chandrapur: The bitter internal power struggle within the Congress in Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC) took a significant legal turn on Monday after the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court stayed the implementation of an order recognising corporator Surendra Adbale as the Congress party‘s group leader. The interim relief has temporarily restored the status quo and brought the closely watched battle between the two rival Congress factions under judicial scrutiny.The court’s intervention came on a petition filed by former group leader Rajesh Adur, who challenged the June 17 order of divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari approving Adbale’s appointment. A division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj D Wakode stayed the operation of the order and issued notices to the respondents. The matter will next be heard on July 6.The dispute traces its roots to growing factional rivalry between supporters of MP Pratibha Dhanorkar and MLA Vijay Wadettiwar within Congress ranks. Following the municipal elections, the Congress group of 27 corporators had officially elected Adur as its leader.However, tensions escalated in recent weeks, prompting 16 corporators aligned with the Dhanorkar camp to claim they had elected Adbale as new group leader. Based on their representation, the divisional commissioner revoked Adur’s recognition and then approved Surendra Adbale’s appointment.During the hearing, Adur argued the decision was taken in violation of established legal procedures. Accepting the contention for consideration, the High Court granted interim relief, effectively suspending the leadership change.The high court ruling has temporarily altered political equations within the civic body, with all eyes now on the July 6 hearing, which could determine the future leadership of the Congress group in the Chandrapur municipal corporation
