The spate of resignations began immediately after Ravat, a strong apsirant for the election, stepped down from the post of presidentship. Ravat faxed his resignation to State unit president Suryabhan Vahadane a few hours after Joshi's candidature was officially announced.

The Ravat supporters gathered at Hotel Parichay on Fergusson College Road, belonging to party corporator Anil Shirole on Sunday morning and raised slogans against Joshi. The angry party workers also reportedly manhandled a few Joshi supporters. Joshi, however, denied that any untoward incident had taken place.

Taking serious note of the reaction among the party workers, State general secretary Sharad Kulkarni air dashed to city from Mumbai on Sunday evening. Kulkarni conducted a meeting of Ravat supporters at Hotel Parichay and tried to pacify them. The Ravat supporters claimed that Kulkarni had assured them that he would convey their sentiments to the national leadership.

About 200 office bearers submitted their resignations to Kulkarni and demanded that party should reconsider its decision. The resignation letters said that party had nominated Joshi despite the fact that the entire party organisation had unanimously suggested Ravat's name. The Ravat supporters conducted another meeting this evening. Significantly, Joshi was also invited for the meet. Corporator Vikas Mathkari later told media persons that the meeting was officially called by party vice-president Vikram Rathod.

It was attended by about 150 office bearers. Mathkari said the workers urged Joshi to give opportunity to fresh and young leadership since the party had given him all the posts in span of 35 years. More than 10 corporators attended the meeting where Joshi was requested not to contest the election in view of the strong sentiments of the party workers against him. Joshi, the sources said refused to make any commitment and left the meeting within a few minutes.

Call from Advani
Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader L K Advani on Monday asked Pradeep Ravat and party MLA Girish Bapat to meet him at Panjim in Goa. Both the leaders immediately left for Goa after a call from Advani. Sources said Advani is expected to take a fresh stock of the situation. They, however, do not rule out the possibility that Advani would personally try to pacify Ravat. Meanwhile, party general secretary Sharad Kulkarni also held a separate meeting with local RSS leaders on Sunday evening.