Pune: Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi Expands Electoral Footprint to Maval Lok Sabha Constituency
Varad Bhatkhande
Maval, 4th April 2024: Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) is expanding its electoral presence beyond Pune and Shirur to now include the Maval Lok Sabha constituency. With plans to announce their candidate within the next two days, VBA’s entry into Maval has stirred anticipation. This move may pose a challenge to established political players, particularly impacting candidates representing underprivileged communities who garnered significant votes in the previous election.
Maval Lok Sabha Constituency spans across Pune and Raigad districts, encompassing six assembly constituencies. Historically dominated by Shiv Sena, the political landscape has evolved, leading to internal strife within the party and a subsequent split. Consequently, the electoral battleground now witnesses competition between rival factions of Shiv Sena, represented by current MP Shrirang Barne from Mahayuti and Sanjog Waghere from the Thackeray group, nominated by Mahavikas Aghadi.
The entry of VBA injects further complexity into the electoral equation, potentially resulting in a three-way contest. Maval boasts a considerable voter base supportive of VBA, as evidenced by the substantial votes secured by Rajaram Patil in the previous election, particularly in areas such as Chinchwad, Pimpri, and Panvel.
This dynamic shift in the political landscape raises questions about the potential impact on candidates representing underprivileged communities, particularly Sanjog Waghere of the Thackeray group. Traditionally aligned with Congress and NCP, voters supportive of VBA may now reconsider their allegiances, potentially impacting the electoral prospects of existing candidates.
Amidst this evolving scenario, VBA is poised to announce a formidable candidate within the coming days. Anil Jadhav, regional vice president of VBA, clarified that he is not vying for candidacy, indicating that the party is exploring alternative options to field a strong contender in the upcoming elections.
