BJP Faces Dissent Ahead Of Polls

Mumbai: Rebel candidates and growing internal discontent have complicated the ruling Mahayuti alliance’s preparations for the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, with disputes over ticket distribution and candidate withdrawals emerging as key challenges in several constituencies. While the alliance managed to secure withdrawals in Pune and Amravati, rebels have refused to step aside in Nagpur and Amravati, putting the spotlight on the BJP’s internal differences and the Shiv Sena’s efforts to consolidate support behind its official nominees.

Elections to three Graduates’ constituencies — Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur — and two Teachers’ constituencies — Pune and Amravati — will be held on October 23. The deadline for withdrawing nominations ended on October 9, setting the stage for contests across the five constituencies.

In the Pune Teachers’ Constituency, Shiv Sena leader Mangesh Chivate and NCP leader Pratap Mane withdrew their nominations, leaving BJP candidate Kaustubh Gawde as the Mahayuti’s official nominee. He will face Congress MLC Jayant Asgaonkar. The Pune Graduates’ Constituency will see a contest between BJP candidate Smita Jadhav and NCP (SP) candidate Harshada Deshmukh-Jadhav, the daughter of retired IAS officer Prabhakar Deshmukh.

The BJP is facing an internal challenge in the Nagpur Division Graduates’ Constituency, where former BJP MLC Professor Anil Sole has refused to withdraw his nomination. The Congress has fielded Abhijeet Wanjari, while the BJP has nominated former MLA Sudhakar Kohale, setting up a three-cornered contest. Sole’s decision comes amid efforts by the BJP leadership to address discontent over its candidate selection. A BJP insider claimed that Sole had been a strong contender for the party ticket but was overlooked in favour of Kohale.

The source also pointed to Sole’s 67th birthday celebration in Nagpur as another flashpoint. According to the BJP insider, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had been invited to the event and was in Nagpur but did not attend, adding to the discontent. A senior BJP leader from the Vidarbha region claimed that Sole enjoyed the support of around 60 per cent of Nagpur Municipal Corporation corporators and 50 per cent of MLAs in Nagpur district, citing his work during the municipal elections. Sole’s decision to remain in the contest has added another layer to the BJP’s efforts to manage dissent ahead of the elections.

In the Amravati Teachers’ Constituency, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has fielded sitting MLC Kiran Sarnaik as the Mahayuti’s official candidate. However, party leader Shrikant Deshpande has retained his nomination, challenging the official nominee from within the Shiv Sena. The Congress has fielded Aditi Pohare, while Dattatray Lahane is contesting on behalf of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). The BJP is also facing dissent in the constituency, with Sangeeta Shinde, sister of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Anil Bonde, and rebel BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bhoyar remaining in the fray. Their continued presence could complicate the Mahayuti’s efforts to consolidate support behind its official candidate.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is facing a challenge in the Aurangabad Graduates’ Constituency, where candidates from different opposition parties are in the fray. The NCP (SP) has fielded Pratapsinh Patil, son of former MLA Vedprakash Patil, while Shiv Sena (UBT) has nominated Dilip Ghuge. The Sunetra Ajit Pawar-led NCP has renominated its three-term sitting MLC, Satish Chavan.

The division of opposition votes could influence the contest. Chavan is also reportedly facing opposition from the BJP, with BJP legislator Prashant Bamb and BJP leader and former MLC Sanjay Kenekar said to have taken a stand against his candidature.

A BJP insider said caste equations could influence the contest, with Maratha voters divided between Chavan and Patil, while Ghuge could draw support from OBC voters.