Chinchwad Bypoll : Rahul Kalate files nomination as independent candidate as NCP announces ticket to Nana Kate

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Pune: A triangular contest is to be seen in the forthcoming Chinchwad bypoll elections, which is being dubbed as a semi final ahead of next year’s assembly poll in Maharashtra.

Chinchwad seat in Pune district fell vacant following the death of sitting MLA and BJP leader Laxman Jagtap. After the filing nomination by Rahul Kalate on the last day it is clear that there is a three way contest between Nana Kate from NCP, Rahul Kalate as an independent and Laxman Jagtap’s wife Ashwini Jagtap from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

All three are equally powerful candidates and have a great impact on their pockets. For example, late MLA Laxman Jagtap had a good hold on Pimple Gurav, Pimple Nilakh, Sangavi and adjoining areas. Votes from these particular pockets will naturally go with his wife Ashwini Jagtap. However, former corporator, opposition leader Nana Kate is very active in Chinchwad central area which includes Chinchwad, Rahatani, Kalewadi, Ravet, Thergaon and adjoining area.From these pockets Kate will take the lead over other candidates. As far as Rahul Kalate is concerned, he has his dominance in pockets of Wakad, Rahatni, Dange Chowk and Thergaon. He personally solved many issues in locality and hence he has large numbers of followers in these pockets.

Amidst speculations over Kate or Kalate, NCP on Tuesday declared that Kate will contest Chinchwad bypoll from NCP as a result of which Kalate decided to fight as an independent.

During the 2019 assembly election, Kalate contested Chinchwad poll as a Shiv Sena rebel candidate and secured a sizable amount of votes. Hence his candidature in this bypoll created a challenge ahead of other candidates.