Hero Image

Keen contest in Dindori as BJP benches three-time MP

NASHIK: The political battle for the Dindori parliamentary constituency is all set to heat up as the Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to hand the ticket to former Nationalist Congress Party leader Bharti Pawar instead of its three-time sitting MP Harishcandra Chavan.


Pawar had joined the BJP after the NCP denied her a ticket, fielding former Shiv Sena MLA Dhanraj Mahale, who recently joined the NCP.



The CPM too has fielded sitting MLA J P Gavit after the NCP denied a seat to the party. And adding to this mix is the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi's candidate, Bapu Barde.

In 2014, Chavan had beaten Bharti (then with the NCP) by 1.47 lakh votes.

Chavan enjoys considerable support in the constituency and sources said he is disappointed by the BJP's decision to drop him. But Pawar said she's confident Chavan will help her campaign.

“Dedicated voters of the NCP the supporters of Chavan could pose a challenge. But I see no threat as BJP has presented the nation with a development model. I will request Chavan for his guidance. I'm sure he will help me,” said Pawar.

She added that her work so far will help her sail through. “Setting aside a few patches in NCP-held assembly constituencies, my work over the past five years will appeal to voters. Today’s voters are wiser - they can easily judge the potential of a representative," she said.

Mahale, who is in the contest for the Dindori seat on an NCP ticket is a former Shiv Sena MLA and son of former three-time MP, the late Haribhau Mahale from JD (S). He recently joined the NCP, bringing over hundreds of supporters who were previously affiliated with the Sena.

Pawar's entry into the BJP could spell trouble for NCP's Mahale, who is already faced with increasing competition from the CPM and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.

Pawar is a daughter-in-law of five-time MLA and former NCP minister, the late A T Pawar. The NCP’s Jayashree Pawar, another daughter-in-law of A T Pawar, is the sitting president of the Zilla Parisahd, Nashik , from NCP. The political differences between both women politicians could help NCP’s Mahale. Nitin Pawar, the elder son of late A T Pawar and Jayashtree's husband, is also a ZP member from the NCP.

“The party is strong in the constituency with three MLAs. Bharti has left the NCP, but the family and supporters of late A T Pawar are with me. There are several issues concerning farmers; voters are disappointed with the BJP government. I have good chances of winning the Dindori seat,” said Mahale.

READ ON APP