edited by: Pathikrit Sen Gupta
Last Update: February 24, 2023, 18:34 IST
This will be the second instance of a bypoll in Maharashtra since Eknath Shinde took over the state by breaking the Shiv Sena and snatching the chief minister’s post from Uddhav Thackeray. (Photo: Special arrangement with PTI Photo)
These two seats have traditionally been held by the BJP, but sudden elections had to be held due to the death of Kasba Peth MLA Mukta Tilak and Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Laxman Jagtap. Though Uddhav Thackeray’s side is not contesting, he has thrown his weight behind MVA candidates in both the constituencies
The Kasba Peth and Pimpri-Chinchwad assembly bypolls will be a big test for the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra and a prestige issue for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.
These two seats have traditionally been held by the BJP, but sudden elections had to be held due to the death of Kasba Peth MLA Mukta Tilak and Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Laxman Jagtap.
This will be the second instance of a bypoll in the state since Shinde stormed to power in the state by breaking the Shiv Sena and snatching the chief minister’s post from Uddhav Thackeray.
Though Uddhav’s side is not contesting, he has thrown his weight behind MVA candidates in both the constituencies.
Till last Thursday, Aaditya Thackeray was doing roadshows with MVA leaders. Till the last day, Shinde and Fadnavis were seen campaigning from house to house.
Last week on Tuesday, the cabinet meeting was also postponed for the next day for the election campaign. On Wednesday, the meeting was called early as most of the ministers visited Pune for campaigning later.
Recently, CM Shinde reached Pune late night after completing his Aurangabad tour and joined the rallies from the next day. Observers say all this shows how important these two bypolls are for both the parties.
After the change of state command, the first by-election was held in Mumbai’s Andheri constituency, when the BJP withdrew its candidate at the last minute, making the election almost one-sided. Uddhav’s side contested the election on a makeshift symbol and party name Election commission, and won. Now MVA is eyeing these two seats which have been occupied by BJP. The BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena are keen to retain the constituencies.
Observers say the dynamics in these two constituencies are interesting. The Kasba Peth seat has always been considered a seat where Brahmin votes dominate. That’s why after the death of Mukta Tilak, it was expected that her husband could get a ticket from BJP, else the party would choose another Brahmin face. However, both the BJP and the Congress have fielded non-Brahmin faces here.
In Kasba Peth where 10 candidates are in the fray, the contest is going to be a straight fight between Hemant Rasane (BJP) and Ravindra Dhangekar (Congress). In fact, the BJP had to bring ailing MP Girish Bapat on a wheelchair to a meeting where he spoke for a minute.
In Pimpri-Chinchwad, where the Nationalist Congress Party and Ajit Pawar have considerable influence, a triangular contest is expected as the BJP has fielded Ashwini Jagtap. Though the NCP has fielded party loyalist Nana Kate, observers say Rahul Kalate, a rebel from the Uddhav camp, could spoil the MVA’s prospects. Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, Uddhav’s new ally in the constituency, has announced that it will support Independent candidate Kalate instead of MVA candidate Kate.
The Kasba Peth seat has been held by the BJP since 1995. In the last election, Mukta Tilak got more than 75,492 votes and 50% vote share. Laxman Jagtap has been winning the Pimpri-Chinchwad seat since 2009. First he won as an independent candidate and later on a BJP ticket. In the last election he got more than 1.50 lakh votes with 54% vote share.
read all latest politics news Here