Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Rebel Candidates Withdraw, Clear Path for Three-Way Clash in Pimpri, Bhosari, Chinchwad, Maval
Reported by Tikam Shekhawat & Mubarak Ansari
Pimpri Chinchwad, 4th November 2024: Both the Mahavikas Aghadi and the Mahayuti alliances have successfully subdued internal rebellions in three key constituencies of Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Former Shiv Sena (Thackeray) MLA Gautam Chabukswar, who had filed an independent nomination in Pimpri, and former corporator Ravi Landge from Bhosari have withdrawn their candidatures, opting to support the NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidates instead. Meanwhile, Nana Kate, a former NCP (Ajit Pawar) corporator from Chinchwad, withdrew his candidacy and pledged support to BJP’s Shankar Jagtap.
With these withdrawals, the electoral battle lines have been drawn, paving the way for intense three-way contests in Pimpri, Bhosari, and Maval, as well as Chinchwad.
According to the seat-sharing arrangement within the Mahayuti, the BJP has fielded candidates in Chinchwad and Bhosari constituencies, while the NCP (Ajit Pawar) is contesting Pimpri. On the opposing side, the Mahavikas Aghadi has nominated NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidates in all three constituencies. This led to initial dissension, with several rebel candidates filing independent nominations in defiance of the alliance decisions.
In Pimpri, former Shiv Sena MLA Gautam Chabukswar had initially rebelled and filed his nomination as an independent, along with 21 other candidates. However, Chabukswar and his supporters have since withdrawn, leaving 15 candidates in the fray. The race is now expected to be a fierce contest between incumbent MLA Anna Bansode of the NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Sulakshana Shilwant of the NCP (Sharad Pawar).
In Chinchwad, former NCP (Ajit Pawar) corporator Nana Kate had initially rebelled against the Mahayuti but later withdrew after intervention by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis. Following his withdrawal, 21 candidates remain, and a three-way battle is expected between BJP’s Shankar Jagtap, NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidate Rahul Kalate, and NCP (Ajit Pawar) rebel Bhausaheb Bhoir.
Similarly, in Bhosari, former Shiv Sena (Thackeray) corporator Ravi Landge also filed an independent nomination in defiance of the Mahavikas Aghadi’s choice. However, after mediation by MLA Sachin Ahir, Landge withdrew his candidacy. Seven candidates withdrew from the race in total, leaving 14 candidates contesting the seat. The key battle here is expected to be between BJP’s MLA Mahesh Landge and NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidate Ajit Gavhane.
In Maval, six candidates withdrew on the final day, leaving only six contenders in the race. Initially, 18 candidates had filed nominations, but six applications were rejected during the scrutiny process. With the remaining withdrawals, the contest in Maval will be a face-off between NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate Sunil Shelke and independent candidate Bapu Bhegde, who is supported by rebel factions within the Mahavikas Aghadi.
The withdrawal of rebel candidates has clarified the electoral landscape, and all eyes are now on the upcoming assembly elections to see who will emerge victorious in these hotly contested seats.
