Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (file photo)
Bharatiya Janata Party rebel leader Vishwajit Gaikwad on Sunday withdrew his nomination as an independent candidate. He said he has decided to withdraw his nomination as an independent candidate for the Udgir parliamentary seat. In the Mahayutthir alliance, this seat is occupied by the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit). Sanjay Bansode is contesting from this seat on an NCP (Ajit) ticket.
Vishwajit Gaikwad said he was following the instructions of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis by withdrawing his candidature. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Latur MLA Sambhajirao Patil Nilangekar said Gaikwad was a dedicated party member who always respected the party’s directives. He has taken a step back. He has withdrawn his candidacy to bring Mahayuth’s government back to power.
Discussions ongoing with other rebel leaders – Nilangekar
Nilangekar said discussions were ongoing with other rebel leaders who had submitted nominations against Mahayuthi’s official candidate. He is expected to withdraw his nomination. Sambhajirao Patil Nilangekar said the electoral battle in all six constituencies in Latur district will be directly between the Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. NCP candidate and minister Bansode acknowledged the work done by Gaikwad in Udgir.
He said the Udgir seat has been allotted to the NCP. Each seat is strategically important to ensure victory for the governing coalition. Vishwajit Gaikwad is the nephew of former BJP MP Sunil Gaikwad. He had sought support from the Lok Sabha, the top leadership of the BJP, but the party again named Sudhakar Shringal as its candidate. However, Sudhakar Shringal lost to Congress MP Shivaji Karg in the 2024 general elections.
99% of rebels will withdraw their names – Bawankule
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday warned rebel leaders. He said the rebel leaders of the BJP filed their nominations out of anger. 99% of candidates who fill out the form angrily withdraw their names. At the same time, he said action would be taken against those who did not withdraw their names.
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The Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held in one phase on November 20. At the same time, the results will be announced after the votes are counted on November 23. Maharashtra has a total of 288 assembly seats.
