Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The announcement of MLC elections for the local authorities' constituency of Aurangabad-cum-Jalna has sparked a rift between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena. Both parties have expressed a strong desire to field their own candidates for the upcoming polls.
Background of the constituency
In the previous election held in August 2019, Ambadas Danve of the undivided Shiv Sena emerged victorious with support from the BJP. He secured approximately 81% of the total votes cast. However, the political landscape has since shifted, with both allies now staking claim to the seat.
BJP's stance
BJP cabinet minister Atul Save asserted that his party commands the largest number of elected representatives in the constituency. He stated, "There has been a considerable increase in the number of BJP representatives compared to the last election. This leaves no scope for others to stake a claim." Save's remarks underline the BJP's confidence in its electoral strength.
Shiv Sena's counter
On the other hand, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar guardian minister Sanjay Shirsat declared that the Shiv Sena will not relinquish the seat under any circumstances. "Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other senior leaders are expected to make the final decision on the candidate's name," he added. This indicates that the party is prepared to contest the seat even if it means opposing its alliance partner.
Voter composition
The electorate for this MLC poll comprises over 600 elected representatives from various local self-governing bodies in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) and Jalna districts. These representatives will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
Nanded and other constituencies
In Nanded, a similar election is anticipated to be a test for BJP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Chavan. Amarnath Rajurkar, a close confidant of Chavan, won the last election when both were in the Congress party. After joining the BJP alongside Chavan, Rajurkar is expected to seek another term. Additionally, Local Authorities' constituencies for Parbhani-cum-Hingoli and Osmanabad-cum-Latur-cum-Beed are scheduled for June 18. These contests are likely to generate friction among the ruling parties over candidate declarations.
Schedule
As per the official schedule, the counting of votes for all these MLC polls is set for June 22. The coming weeks are expected to witness intense political maneuvering as parties finalize their strategies.
