The Nashik constituency continues to be a point of contention within the ‘Mahayuti’ alliance, as the Ajit Pawar-led NCP reiterated its claim over the seat on Monday, despite Maharashtra cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal announcing his withdrawal from the Lok Sabha race. Both the NCP and Shiv Sena are vying for the Nashik seat, adding complexity to the coalition dynamics.
Under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, the Shiv Sena remains adamant about retaining the Nashik seat and is unwilling to cede it to any alliance partner. Recently, at a party function, Hemant Godse, the sitting MP and Sena leader, was informally declared as the candidate by the chief minister’s son, Shrikant Shinde.
In response, the BJP deployed senior leader and state minister Girish Mahajan to Nashik to assess the situation. Sources within the ‘Mahayuti’ revealed that the BJP presented a negative survey report on Godse to the Sena during alliance discussions.
Initially eyeing the Nashik seat, the BJP’s plans shifted after the NCP allocated Satara to the saffron party, intensifying the competition between the NCP and the Sena. Bhujbal, who had previously expressed interest in contesting from Nashik, later withdrew due to the lack of consensus among the Mahayuti allies.
Although Bhujbal withdrew his candidacy, party sources indicated that if the NCP secures the Nashik seat, Bhujbal would be their preferred candidate. Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare affirmed that Bhujbal, as a senior party member, would contribute to campaigning for ‘Mahayuti’ candidates in the Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar unveiled the party manifesto, emphasizing support for a caste-based census – a demand the ally BJP has thus far avoided. The NCP also announced its intention to advocate for the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, to be conferred posthumously to the late Maharashtra CM and defence minister Yashwantrao Chavan.
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