Pune: The BJP has asserted its claim over the Maval Assembly constituency, currently represented by NCP MLA Sunil Shelke, a close associate of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
A significant show of strength is planned for August 2, potentially increasing troubles for MLA Shelke and indicating a possible rift within the MahaYuti (Grand Alliance) over the Maval Assembly seat.
The Shiv Sena-BJP and NCP are preparing to contest the Assembly elections together as part of the MahaYuti, with an understanding that the party of the incumbent MLA retains the constituency.
Despite this, the BJP has insisted on contesting the Maval seat under its lotus symbol. To reinforce their demand, the BJP plans a show of strength on August 2nd.
The Maval Assembly constituency was traditionally considered a BJP bastion, having elected a BJP MLA for 25 consecutive years until 2019. That year, internal rebellion within the BJP led to the party fielding Bala Bhegade, which prompted then-BJP councilor Sunil Shelke to switch to the NCP. Shelke then defeated the Minister of State Bhegade by over 90,000 votes.
Over the past five years, various disputes have caused friction between MLA Shelke and BJP officials, with both sides even avoiding sharing the same platform.
Despite the NCP joining the BJP in government, their political differences have not diminished. Now, with the BJP claiming the Maval constituency, the conflict between BJP and MLA Shelke is expected to intensify.
Shelke is currently with Ajit Pawar's NCP faction, and given the MahaYuti's primary understanding, there was an expectation that the constituency would remain with the NCP, and Shelke would be the candidate.
However, the BJP's claim has introduced a potential rift within the MahaYuti over the Maval seat. A gathering of BJP leaders and workers from the Maval taluka is scheduled for August 2nd.
Former MLA Bala Bhegade noted that Rambhau Mhalgi represented Maval taluka in the Legislative Assembly in 1957 through the Jan Sangh.
From 1957 to 2024, the constituency has mostly elected MLAs from the Jan Sangh, Janata Party, and BJP. Maval taluka is known for electing representatives based on organizational strength.
Hence, they will strongly request their leaders to allocate the traditional stronghold of Maval to the BJP, with the lotus symbol as their emblem.
