Maruti Bhapkar
| Maruti Bhapkar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 June 1970 |
| Residence | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Known for |
Exposed Sharad Pawar family involvement in Lavasa scam.[1] Indian anti-corruption movement – 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement – 2012 |
| Political party | Aam Aadmi Party |
| Website |
www |
Maruti Bhapkar is a founder member and convenor of Pune District for Aam Aadmi Party.[2] He is a known social activist and IAC activist in Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune. He was a corporator at Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation from year 2007 to 2012. He fought the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections from Maval as an Independent candidate.[3]
Jan Lokpal Andolan
Maruti Bhapkar was associated with Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal in the Jan Lokpal Andolan since the first day. He plays a significant role in the andolan related activities in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad area.[4] He participated in the Jail Bharo andolan following Anna-ji's call. He introduced a proposal supporting the Jan Lokpal Andolan in PCMC's general body meeting and it was passed with majority.
Experimentation and Implementation of Swaraj Model
In his capacity as the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation corporator from 2007–2012, Maruti Bhapkar successfully implemented the Swaraj model in his ward.[5][6] Every 3 months, a Jan Sabha was held in the ward to engage public consulations on various issues such as roads, parks, cultural center, slum rehabilitation, electricity and police. He implemented public proposals that went against his personal opinion.[7]
Anti-corruption work
- Since its establishment in 1982, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation was not audited until Maruti's intervention in 2000. He filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court following which an audit was conducted. The audit exposed Rs. 4 billion worth of irregularities.[8]
- Bhapkar's agitation demanding action against irregularities in MIDC land allocation to NCP's Ajit Pawar aide resulted in Rs. 7.2 million fine against NCP MLA Vilas Lande.[9]
- Using RTI, Maruti Bhapkar exposed the Pawar family involvement in Lavasa scam.[10]
2009 Lok Sabha Election
Maruti Bhapkar fought the 2009 Lok Sabha Election. His main election plank was farmers' displacement because of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Raigad and Pune districts.[11][12] Though he received wide support from civil society leaders including Justice Sachar, Medha Patkar, Aruna Roy and Arvind Kejriwal.,[13] he lost the elections to Shiv Sena's Gajanan Babar.[14]
References
- ↑ "Lavasa's issues cut deeper.". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ↑ "Maruti Bhapkar of IAC arrested in Pune".
- ↑ "ADR National Election Watch". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ↑ "Independent corporator Maruti Bhapkar".
- ↑ "Bhapkar raring to go".
- ↑ "A leader who empowers people".
- ↑ "Maruti Bhapkar Indian Express".
- ↑ "CBI to investigate PCMC's irregularities.". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ↑ "Cheaper land for Ajit Pawar's aide cost MIDC Rs 2.99 cr: CAG.". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ↑ "Lavasa's issues cut deeper.". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ↑ "Maruti Bhapkar takes up farmers cause in Raigad". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ↑ "Independent corporator joins poll race in Maval". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ↑ "Crowd-pullers back barefoot Bhapkar". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ↑ "General Elections to Lok Sabha 2009 (Maharashtra)" (PDF). Retrieved 28 February 2014.