In Kasba, the BJP lost a prestige battle in the March 2 assembly by-election. The party had won the seat six times in a row. It was vacated by the death of BJP legislator Mukta Tilak. (Express Photo) A boost to Congress with the win in the Kasba assembly bypoll last month in the BJP bastion has been followed by speculation over its next move for the upcoming elections. Several names of likely candidates have emerged after a by-election was necessitated in Pune following the death of BJP MP Girish Bapat.
In Kasba, the BJP lost a prestige battle in the March 2 assembly by-election. The party had won the seat six times in a row. It was vacated by the death of BJP legislator Mukta Tilak.
On March 29, the party lost its strongest face in Pune with Bapat’s death. The Lok Sabha seat was declared vacant by the Election Commission. While the BJP tries to find a suitable candidate to fill in the shoes of one of the tallest leaders in the city, many Congress and NCP leaders also seem to be eyeing the seat.
Traditionally, the seat has been contested by Congress in a seat-sharing arrangement with allies NCP and Shiv Sena (UBT).
“I am prepared to contest the Pune Lok Sabha seat if the party declares my candidature. I have the experience and the outreach,” said senior Congress leader Mohan Joshi.Joshi earlier contested the Lok Sabha polls. But he did not win against the BJP rivals. “The political situation has changed drastically and people need a change. I am confident of winning the seat,” he said.
Suresh Kalmadi of the Congress won the seat in 2004 and 2009. The party, however, lost the last two Lok Sabha elections. In 2014, BJP’s Anil Shirole defeated Vishwajeet Kadam of Congress. In 2019, Bapat defeated Joshi. According to Congress insiders, there are a few more probables for contesting the Pune Lok Sabha seat. These include city Congress chief Arvind Shinde, former city unit chief Abhay Chhajed, senior Congress leader Ulhas Bagul, and legislator Ravindra Dhangekar.
Though the seat is contested by Congress, a few NCP leaders have also shown interest.
“Many of my supporters want me to contest the seat. I am prepared to contest it if my party allows. I am aware the seat is always fought by Congress. But if given an opportunity, I am ready,” said city NCP chief Prashant Jagtap.
The name of another NCP leader – Deepak Mankar – is making rounds. Mankar has served Pune as deputy mayor. A few years ago, he had jumped from Congress to NCP due to differences with local leadership.