Nagpur: The Katol assembly constituency is on the cusp of a transformative election, marking a break from over 25 years under NCP veteran Anil Deshmukh. After serving five terms, Deshmukh has stepped aside and endorsed his son Salil Deshmukh, a zilla parishad member, as his successor. This move has set the stage for an intense three-way contest that will bring a new face to represent Katol in the Maharashtra assembly.
Salil faces BJP's Charansingh Thakur, a persistent contender who narrowly lost to Anil Deshmukh in the previous elections in 2009 and 2019, and independent candidate Yajnavalkya Jichkar, son of former Congress minister Shrikant Jichkar. Jichkar's entry has introduced a compelling twist, as his late father held significant influence in parts of Katol. Known for his educational achievements and political record, Shrikant Jichkar first won the seat in 1980 and held 14 key portfolios. His son Yajnavalkya's independent candidacy has fuelled speculation that his family legacy may attract traditional Congress-leaning voters.
Anil Deshmukh's departure from active politics has altered the basic equation in Katol, making this the first time in decades that the seat is up for grabs without the dominant figure's presence. The former minister's only defeat in Katol came in 2014 when he lost to his nephew, Ashish Deshmukh, who ran on a BJP ticket. This year, however, political observers see an unpredictable race as Salil Deshmukh attempts to inherit and uphold his father's legacy.
The Ajit Pawar-led NCP (SP) strongly lobbied for the seat, with Pawar himself holding his sole Vidarbha rally in Katol. However, BJP is set on claiming this seat to dismantle NCP's influence in the constituency. In a strategic twist, the Ajit Pawar faction has fielded a candidate named Anil Shankarrao Deshmukh on the ‘Clock' symbol, which some speculate could confuse voters, though the candidate is unrelated to Salil Deshmukh and not a resident of Katol.
Beyond legacy and family names, the election hinges on the candidates' capacity to address pressing local issues, including infrastructure, development projects, farmers' issues, and social welfare. While Salil has deep roots in the cooperative sector, BJP's Thakur hopes to tap into any dissatisfaction with the NCP's administration. Adding to the complexity, Shiv Sena's Shinde faction, now allied with BJP, and UBT joining hands with NCP (SP), could affect traditional voting patterns, potentially splitting the vote in unexpected ways.
At a recent rally, NCP chief Sharad Pawar rallied support by invoking Vidarbha's historical ties to Congress, mentioning leaders like Vasantrao Naik and Sudhakarrao Naik. "Nagpur has long been the heartland of Congress ideology—let us continue this legacy towards progress," he urged.
With Katol voters facing a dynamic field of candidates and shifting political alliances, the 2024 elections promise a decisive and dramatic turning point for the constituency. The outcome, shaped by voter sentiments on legacy, performance, and promises for future development, remains uncertain but is certain to signal a new chapter in Katol's political landscape.
The Katol constituency, historically dominated by Congress and its allies, especially by the Deshmukh and Shinde families since Maharashtra's first assembly elections in 1962, saw a shift in dynamics in recent years. In 2009, as part of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, Sena's Kiran Pandav was given the ticket. This move sparked discontent, leading Charan Singh Thakur to contest under the Republican Party of India (A) banner, where he secured second place as Anil Deshmukh won with a decisive margin of over 32,000 votes.
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Past Election Results:
In the previous three elections, Anil Deshmukh consistently won the seat for the NCP. His popularity and influence in the region helped him secure victories despite facing tough opposition. A look at past election results demonstrates his dominance:
2009: Anil Deshmukh (NCP) won with 56,143 votes, defeating BJP's Charansingh Thakur, who secured 34,750 votes.
2014: Dr Ashish Deshmukh (BJP) secured 70,883 votes, narrowly winning against Anil Deshmukh, who received 64,754 votes.
2019: Anil Deshmukh reclaimed the seat with 66,741 votes, defeating Charansingh Thakur of BJP, who received 59,645 votes.
*Katol 2019 polls:
Margin--- 17,057
NOTA--- 2,004
Anil Deshmukh-----------NCP--------------------96,842
Charansingh Thakur-----BJP---------------------79,785
Dinesh Tule----------------VBA-------------------5,807
Mohammed Valibaba-----------BSP-----------1,366
Ravindra Dhurve--------Gondwana Gantantra Party ---------------1,006