Pimpri Chinchwad: Chandrakant Nakhate Enters Jagtap Family’s Power Struggle, Demands Ticket From BJP

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Pimpri Chinchwad, 16th June 2024: Recently, a tug of war has emerged among Mahayuti parties regarding the Pimpri, Chinchwad, and Bhosari Assembly Constituencies. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are locked in a fierce battle for these constituencies. Tensions within the BJP are escalating, particularly in the Chinchwad Assembly Constituency, where multiple contenders have emerged.

Sitting MLA of Chinchwad, Ashwini Jagtap from the BJP and her brother-in-law and BJP’s Pimpri Chinchwad City President, Shankar Jagtap, are staking their claims. Additionally, three-time corporator Chandrakant Nakhate is asserting his rights to the Chinchwad Assembly seat. Nakhate argues against dynastic politics within the BJP.

The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections are scheduled in the coming months, setting the stage for a showdown between the Mahayuti and Mahavikas Aghadi alliances. Anticipated since last year, the Jagtap family was expected to face internal power struggles during the Assembly Elections, but Nakhate has unexpectedly entered the fray as a wildcard.

Sitting MLA Ashwini Jagtap won in a by-election following the death of her husband Laxman Jagtap in January 2023. Nakhate claims that he was promised certain considerations by the party’s high command during that time. He emphasized, “BJP has no place for dynastic politics. Initially, Ashwini Laxman Jagtap was given the ticket last time. Now, her family may not receive candidature again because BJP does not support dynastic politics.”

Sharad Pawar-Led NCP’s Offer to Jagtaps

Tushar Kamthe, the Pimpri Chinchwad City President of Sharad Pawar’s NCP, has extended an offer, stating that the door is open for sitting MLA Ashwini Jagtap or her brother-in-law, Shankar Jagtap, to join Mahayuti. Kamthe has asserted his party’s right to contest from the Chinchwad and Pimpri Assembly Constituencies. He emphasized that many voters in Chinchwad and Pimpri support Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. Addressing the alleged power struggle within the Jagtap family, Kamthe mentioned that their party always welcomes Shankar Jagtap and Ashwini Jagtap. He openly offered them a chance to join Sharad Pawar-Led NCP.

People are curious to see how the BJP will handle this situation—if they give a ticket to one, what decision the other will make, and whether Kamthe’s offer will have any impact.