The upcoming municipal corporation elections across Maharashtra's Marathwada region have ignited a fierce controversy over dynastic politics and nepotism. Major political parties are facing severe criticism for distributing tickets to close relatives of sitting legislators and ministers, sidelining loyal grassroots workers and sparking internal resentment.
Political Families Dominate Nominations in Key Cities
The trend is most visible in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). Here, the Shiv Sena has fielded three children of its two sitting MLAs. Siddhant Shirsat and Harshada Shirsat, son and daughter of Social Justice and district guardian minister Sanjay Shirsat, are contesting from Ward 29 (Kanchanwadi) and Ward 18 (Vedantnagar-Guru Gobind Singhpura) respectively. From the Aurangabad Central constituency, MLA Pradeep Jaiswal's son, Rishikesh Jaiswal, is in the fray from the Gulmandi area.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) faction is also part of this pattern. Senior leader Ambadas Danve's brother, Rajendra Danve, is contesting from Ajab Nagar (Ward 16). Furthermore, former MP Chandrakant Khaire's nephew, Sachin Khaire, is contesting again from the Gulmandi ward.
Pattern Repeats in Jalna, Nanded, and Parbhani
The phenomenon extends beyond the region's primary city. In Jalna, the BJP has given tickets to Bhaskar Danve and his wife Sushila Danve. Bhaskar is a cousin of senior BJP leader Raosaheb Danve. The party also nominated Sangita Gorantyal, wife of former MLA and mayor Kailas Gorantyal, alongside their son Akshay Gorantyal. The Shiv Sena in Jalna has fielded Darshana Khotkar, daughter of MLA Arjun Khotkar.
In Nanded, Shiv Sena MLA Balaji Kalyankar's son, Suhas Kalyankar, is contesting from Ward 1. The Parbhani scene sees Congress fielding Ganesh Deshmukh, son of former Congress MLA Suresh Deshmukh. The BJP has nominated Dattatray Renge, son of former Shiv Sena MP Tukaram Renge, and gave a ticket to Meenatai Varpudkar, wife of former Congress minister Suresh Varpudkar, who recently switched to the BJP. The NCP has entered Vijayrao Jamkar, son of former Congress minister Raosaheb Jamkar.
Backlash and a Notable Exception
The growing list of candidates with political lineage has intensified unease among rank-and-file party workers. They allege that organizational experience and loyalty have been completely sidelined during the ticket distribution process for these crucial local body polls.
Amid the backlash, the BJP attempted to distance itself from the controversy. The party decided against fielding children of sitting MPs and MLAs. Following this directive, the son of Union Minister of State Dr. Bhagwat Karad announced his withdrawal from the election race.
This widespread practice has sharpened the debate over dynastic politics creeping into the local governance level, where direct public connection and grassroots work are traditionally considered paramount. The resentment brewing among workers could potentially impact the campaigning momentum and results for the involved parties.
