Uddhav Thackeray complicates Bhosari seat-sharing talks
Pimpri: Former BJP corporator Ravi Landge joined the Shiv Sena (UBT) by visiting Matoshree, the residence of party President Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Tuesday (August 20).
Thackeray appealed to Landge and supporters to win the Bhosari assembly seat, indicating that the segment would be contested by the Shiv Sena (UBT).
However, it is said that this could complicate the seat-sharing talks within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). There would be competition within his own party for the candidature while it is interesting to see how the NCP (SP) would react to it.
The sitting BJP MLA Mahesh Landge will be the party candidate in the State Assembly poll. He polled around 1.60 lakh votes in the last election. He defeated NCP’s Vilas Lande with a margin of 77,000 votes. Mahesh Landge was the winner in 2014 as an independent candidate. He then polled only 60,000 votes. His other rivals were Shiv Sena’s Sulabha Ubale, NCP’s Lande, BJP’s Eknath Pawar and Hanumantrao Bhosale of Congress. This resulted in division of votes. Ubale was at the second highest place with over 44,000 votes.
There is likely to be a direct fight between the Maha Yuti and the MVA in 2024. Landge’s candidature is almost confirmed. He has the backing of the Shiv Sena (BT), which does not have much presence in Bhosari. Ravi Landge has boosted the Shiv Sena (UBT) strength. The NCP (SP) also has a strong presence in Bhosari.
Ubale, Gavhane or Landge
The Shiv Sena (UBT) has two aspirants: Ubale and Ravi Landge. NCP (SP) leader Ajit Gavhane is another aspirant. The NCP contested from the seat last time. Currently, the NCP (SP) is a strong contender for the seat but Thackeray will use his might to field his candidate, the way he did in the Lok Sabha polls.
The Landes and the Landges have been the dominant families in Bhosari. Vilas Lande is in the NCP (AP) camp. Mahesh Landge versus Ravi Landge would be an interesting fight. Ubale proved her might in the 2014 election. The NCP (SP) is the MVA partner. Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil could get a lead of only 9,000 votes from this segment. The lead was 37,000 in the last Lok Sabha election.
It is said that Ravi Landge’s move may adversely hit the BJP. Thus, Mahesh Landge will have a lot of hard work to do. However, it remains to be seen how the MVA would solve the problem.
