Kasba Constituency Heats Up: Discontent Erupts in BJP and Congress Over Assembly Election Candidates
Reported by Tikam Shekhawat & Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 28th October 2024: The political atmosphere in Pune’s Kasba constituency is heating up once again as internal tensions and rebellion shake both the Mahayuti alliance and the Mahavikas Aghadi. With dissatisfaction brewing over candidate nominations, the constituency is once again at the centre of intense political drama.
In the BJP camp, Dheeraj Ghate, Pune’s city president and an aspirant for the Kasba seat, has expressed his discontent after being denied a nomination. Ghate had been pushing for a Brahmin candidate to represent the party in this central Pune constituency, a traditionally BJP stronghold. However, the party leadership announced Hemant Rasane, the former PMC Standing Committee chairman, as its candidate. The decision to overlook Ghate and other potential Brahmin candidates, including Kunal Tilak, son of the late MLA Mukta Tilak, and Swarda Bapat, daughter-in-law of the late MP Girish Bapat, has reignited the debate over representation for the Brahmin community in Kasba.
The BJP’s loss in the by-election two years ago, attributed by some to the exclusion of a Brahmin candidate, had already stirred conversations about the need for Brahmin representation. Now, with Ghate’s dissatisfaction out in the open, it remains to be seen whether the party can contain internal discord. “You want a Hindutva government, but a worker who has given 30 years for Hindutva is not wanted as a candidate,” Ghate remarked, indicating his deep frustration. He is expected to clarify his political stance in the coming days, potentially adding to the BJP’s electoral headaches.
Meanwhile, the Mahavikas Aghadi, too, is grappling with rebellion. The Congress party’s decision to field sitting MLA Ravindra Dhangekar as its candidate has sparked internal opposition. Former Congress women’s state president and ex-Mayor Kamal Vyavahare, who was denied the party’s ticket, has openly rebelled. Displeased with the party’s decision, Vyavahare has met with Swarajya Party founder Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and is reportedly considering contesting the election under the Swarajya Party banner. She is expected to file her nomination papers today.
“Even after being elected as a corporator for thirty years, the party does not think. I am going to resign from Congress as I am constantly being put down,” said Vyavahare, signaling a major rift within the Congress ranks.
With discontent brewing in both camps, the Kasba constituency is once again set to become a battleground. The Mahavikas Aghadi, which currently holds the seat, will face a stiff challenge from the BJP, which is determined to reclaim its traditional stronghold. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has fielded Ganesh Bhokare from the Kasba constituency.
The upcoming contest is now shaping up to be a colourful and unpredictable one, as both alliances struggle to manage internal dissent and project unity in the lead-up to the election.
