Pimpri: The internal family conflict within the Jagtap household concerning the Chinchwad Assembly constituency has been settled, according to sources.
MLA Ashwini Jagtap has decided to withdraw her candidacy bid and has formally supported Shankar Jagtap for the seat. She, along with former corporators, appealed to BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule to endorse Shankar Jagtap.
Reliable sources confirm that this move has cleared the way for Shankar Jagtap’s nomination, easing tensions within the party.
The Chinchwad Assembly constituency, since its inception, was led by the late MLA Laxman Jagtap until his death in 2023 due to a prolonged illness. Following his demise, a by-election was held, and there was significant competition within the family for the ticket, with both Ashwini Jagtap (wife of the late MLA) and his brother, Shankar Jagtap, vying for it.
The BJP leadership ultimately chose Ashwini, and she secured victory with a margin of 36,000 votes in a three-cornered battle, helped by a sympathy wave and the presence of a dissident candidate, Rahul Kalate. Despite her victory, the NCP candidate Nana Kate still managed to secure 99,000 votes.
As the upcoming Assembly elections approached, the dispute over candidacy between Ashwini and Shankar Jagtap resurfaced. Both claimed the right to the ticket, but there was also significant internal opposition from other party members.
A faction of 15 former corporators expressed strong opposition to granting the ticket to the Jagtap family again, arguing that it should be given to someone else within their group who has a stronger record of public service.
Amidst fears that the family feud could result in losing the MLA seat, MLA Ashwini Jagtap chose to step down from the candidacy. She, along with the group of former corporators, formally recommended Shankar Jagtap for the ticket during a meeting with Chandrashekhar Bawankule in Pune.
Sources have confirmed that Ashwini Jagtap made this recommendation in an effort to unify the party and secure the Chinchwad seat.