Pimpri: After the Mahayuti coalition designated the Chinchwad Assembly seat to the BJP, former NCP corporator Nana Kate, who had vied for the seat through the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction, has decided to contest the seat independently.
Kate announced that he will file his nomination on October 28, positioning himself as a contender against BJP candidate Shankar Jagtap in what promises to be a closely watched election.
Initially, former NCP corporators and party leaders from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP advocated for the Chinchwad constituency to be assigned to their faction.
However, the Mahayuti's policy of retaining seats for parties with incumbent MLAs led to the allocation of Chinchwad to the BJP. Shankar Jagtap, BJP’s city president and brother-in-law of sitting MLA Ashwini Jagtap, was subsequently chosen as the BJP candidate.
Seeking to secure the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) ticket, Kate pursued endorsements from senior leaders Sharad Pawar, Jayant Patil, and MP Supriya Sule but was ultimately passed over in favor of Rahul Kalate. Following this decision, Kate announced his independent candidacy, adding a new dimension to the contest.
“I am resolute about contesting the election with the support of the people,” Kate stated.
“In the recent by-election, I received a strong mandate with over 100,000 votes. Ajit Pawar advised me to prepare for the election, but the seat went to BJP. After discussing with Sharad Pawar’s faction, they fulfilled their role, and we will assert our stance with an independent campaign. My supporters and officials from the Ajit Pawar faction will stand with me.”
The Chinchwad constituency’s dynamics have been complex. In the January 2023 by-election, the seat was allocated to the NCP (SP) as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition.
At that time, both Kate and Kalate contended for the NCP (SP) nomination, with Kate emerging as the party’s candidate, prompting Kalate to rebel and run independently.
Now, with Kalate receiving the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) nomination, Kate has opted to run independently, underscoring the evolving political landscape within Chinchwad.