Maharashtra Elections 2024: Rebellion Sparks Across Pune Constituencies Over Seat Allocation Issues

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Reported by Tikam Shekhawat & Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 30th October 2024: Confusion over seat allocation between the Mahayuti (Grand Alliance) and Mahavikas Aghadi has triggered rebellion across multiple constituencies in Pune city, the district, and Pimpri Chinchwad. Local political infighting in constituencies such as Baramati and Vadgaon Sheri has intensified as leaders struggle to appease disgruntled party members.

Yesterday (Tuesday) marked the last day for filing nominations for the 2024 Assembly elections. Both the Mahayuti, a coalition of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-Ajit Pawar), and the Mahavikas Aghadi, comprised of Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), faced internal dissatisfaction regarding seat allocation. Party officials in several areas have revolted, leading to multiple independent nominations being filed.

Rising Tensions in Pune City

Pune city, with eight assembly constituencies, has witnessed the most rebellion within the Congress party. In the Kasba constituency, former Congress Mayor Kamal Vyavahare has submitted her nomination, while Manish Anand has rebelled in the Shivajinagar constituency by filling nomination as independent candidate, challenging the party’s official candidate.

The Parvati constituency is also seeing multiple revolts, with former Congress Mayor Aba Bagul, Congress Traders Aghadi City President Bharat Surana, and NCP candidate Sachin Tavre rebelling against the official nominations. In Kothrud, former NCP Standing Committee President Baburao Chandere has filed his application. In Khadakwasla, former BJP MLA Sharad Dhamale has rebelled, filing his nomination for both the Khadakwasla and Bhor constituencies.

Additionally, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Harishchandra Dangat’s wife, Anita Dangat, along with Nagesh Shinde, Milind Pokle, and Rahul Mate of Congress, have filed independent applications in the Mahavikas Aghadi. BJP’s Bharat Vairage has rebelled from the Pune Cantonment constituency, and Sameer Tupe of Shiv Sena (UBT) has rebelled from Hadapsar. However, Vadgaon Sheri has managed to avoid internal conflicts.

Rebellion in Pune District

In Maval constituency, all political factions have united against incumbent MLA Sunil Shelke. NCP candidate Bapusaheb Bhegde has filed his nomination for the Mahayuti, with support from BJP, Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT), and other parties. However, Bhor constituency saw rebellions from Shiv Sena’s Kuldeep Konde and NCP’s Ranjit Sivatare, who filed independent nominations against the alliance.

In Junnar, BJP’s Asha Buchke and Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Mauli Khandagale have filed their candidatures. Shirur Assembly constituency has also seen rebellion from BJP’s Pradeep Kand, Sanjay Pachange, and NCP’s Shantaram Katke, all of whom filed independent nominations.

Notably, in Daund, Virdhawal Jagdale, a close associate of Ajit Pawar, has rebelled, submitting his candidacy as an independent. In Purandar, several candidates from BJP and NCP have also filed nominations against the alliance’s official candidates.

Similar Issues in Pimpri Chinchwad

Pimpri Chinchwad is facing similar unrest, with Congress candidates Adv. Gautam Chabukswar and Manoj Kamble rebelling. Shiv Sena’s Jitendra Nanavare and Chandrakanta Sonkamble, along with BJP’s Balasaheb Oval, have all submitted independent nominations within the grand alliance.

In Chinchwad constituency, BJP’s Vitthal alias Nana Kate, Sandeep Chinchwade, and Chandrakant Nakhate, along with NCP’s Bhausaheb Bhoir, have filed their applications, sparking internal conflicts. Bhosari has also seen Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Ravi Landge file a rebel nomination within the Mahavikas Aghadi.

Shirur: Three Candidates with the Same Name

An unusual scenario has unfolded in the Shirur constituency, where three candidates bearing the same name, Ashok Pawar, have submitted their nominations. Ashok Raosaheb Pawar is the official candidate from NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), while Ashok Ganpat Pawar and Ashok Ramchandra Pawar have filed as independents, adding further complexity to the race.

As election day approaches, party leaders across all factions will need to employ their political acumen to manage the growing unrest and restore unity within their ranks.