Pune: Now Jagdish Mulik To File Nomination As Independent Candidate From Vadgaonsheri

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 29th October 2024: A political tug-of-war is intensifying in the Vadgaonsheri and Khadakwasla Assembly constituencies in Pune as BJP and NCP candidates file their nominations, setting the stage for a “friendly contest.” With internal dynamics in play, both parties have decided to field their candidates to avoid growing discontent within their ranks.

In Vadgaonsheri, NCP’s sitting MLA Sunil Tingre, who has faced criticism for his alleged involvement in the controversial Porsche case, has been announced as the party’s and Mahayuti candidate. Former BJP MLA Jagdish Mulik, who had earlier expressed interest in contesting the Lok Sabha elections but was denied candidature, has now entered the fray. Mulik’s nomination sets up a three-way contest between Tingre, Mulik, and NCP’s Sharad Pawar faction candidate Bapu Pathare. (Note: Mulik did not file his nomination after assurance from Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to him into the legislative assembly.)

Meanwhile in Khadakwasla, BJP’s incumbent MLA Bhimrao Tapkir has filed his nomination. However, the NCP has added an unexpected twist by fielding former mayor Datta Dhankawde, a move that could shake up BJP’s election arithmetic. Despite this, party insiders describe the contest as “friendly,” hinting at an underlying agreement between the two political powerhouses.

Pune city has eight Assembly constituencies, two of which—Vadgaonsheri and Hadapsar—are allocated to the NCP under the Mahayuti seat-sharing arrangement. The remaining six, including Khadakwasla, are being contested by the BJP, which currently holds significant ground in Kasba, Pune Cantonment, Shivajinagar, Parvati, and Kothrud.

As the electoral battle heats up, Vadgaonsheri and Khadakwasla are emerging as key battlegrounds, with candidates from both parties vying to secure a foothold in these crucial constituencies.