In a significant development in Maharashtra's political landscape, Prakash Ambedkar, the leader of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), has unveiled the party's third list of candidates poised to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. With this announcement, the total count of VBA candidates from Maharashtra now stands at 25, following the declaration of 20 candidates across the initial two rounds.
Diverse Array of Candidates Added to VBA Roster
The latest additions to VBA's candidate lineup represent a diverse array of voices, including Vasant More for Pune, Avinash Bosikar for Nanded, Babasaheb Ugale for Parbhani, Afsar Khan for Aurangabad, and Mangaldas Bandal for Shirur, previously associated with MNS. Each nominee brings a unique perspective and background to the table, aiming to resonate with the electorate.
Strategic Political Maneuvering: VBA's Decision on Baramati
Ambedkar's strategic maneuvering was also evident in VBA's decision not to contest from the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency. Instead, the party has chosen to throw its weight behind the NCP candidate, Sharadchandra Pawar, indicating a calculated move to support NCP's Supriya Sule, who faces competition from Sunetra Pawar, backed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Support Extended to Congress Candidates Amidst Pune's Electoral Dynamics
Moreover, Ambedkar extended VBA's support to two Congress candidates: Shahu Maharaj in Kolhapur and Vikas Thakare in Nagpur. Meanwhile, in Pune, the political dynamics have taken an intriguing turn with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominating former mayor Murlidhar Mohol and the Congress fielding Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar. The entry of Vasant More into the fray adds an additional layer of complexity to the electoral contest in the city.
Reflecting on Past Victories and Electoral Trends
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it's essential to reflect on past victories and electoral trends. The BJP's dominance in Pune over the last two terms, with Anil Shirole (2014) and Girish Bapat (2019) clinching substantial mandates, underscores the party's stronghold in the region. However, prior to this, Congress' Suresh Kalmadi held sway over the Pune MP seat, emerging victorious in both the 2004 and 2009 elections. In light of the upcoming elections, the performance of VBA's candidates in 2019, particularly Anil Jadhav's garnering of 6.26% of the total votes, alongside Bapat's significant vote count of 6.32 lakh and Congress' Mohan Joshi securing 3.08 lakh votes, remains a subject of keen observation.
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