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The upcoming elections in Nagpur are shaping up to be a tight race, with BJP candidates facing formidable challenges from independent candidates and strong rivals. Mohan Mate from Nagpur South and Krishna Khopde from Nagpur East, along with Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur South-West, are all facing stiff competition, highlighting the evolving political landscape in the region. Notably, Khopde's financial disclosures reveal a significant increase in his assets over the last five years, from Rs10.15 crore in 2019 to Rs13.02 crore in 2024, a growth of over 28%. This increase, primarily driven by a surge in immovable assets and the addition of new vehicles, has raised questions about the sources of his wealth and could become a point of contention during the campaign.
The competition in Khopde's constituency, Nagpur East, is expected to be fierce, with Abha Pande, an independent candidate with a strong base in the area, posing a significant threat. Pande's alignment with the NCP (Ajit Pawar), an ally of the BJP in Mahayuti, adds another layer of complexity to the race. Meanwhile, Mate, known for his business and social work, is facing scrutiny over his financial disclosures and legal cases. He holds assets worth Rs3.22 crore, including movable and immovable properties, and has a liability of Rs8.33 lakh. His nomination has been accompanied by a revelation of an FIR and two pending cases against him, which could potentially impact his campaign.
Adding to the unpredictable nature of the elections, Yajnavalkya Jichkar, son of late Shrikant Jichkar, a former minister, has filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Katol constituency. Jichkar, who lacks a political background, had been expecting a Congress ticket but was ultimately denied. His decision to contest as an independent poses a challenge to the NCP-SP, which has already declared former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh as its candidate from Katol. The presence of independent candidates like Jichkar reflects the growing discontent with traditional political parties and their established candidates. The elections in Nagpur are thus likely to be a fierce battle for the BJP, with independent candidates and strong rivals eager to capitalize on the opportunities to challenge the ruling party.
Source: BJP's Khopde and Mate Set for Election Challenge as Jichkar Files Independently