Defeated in Lok Sabha Polls, Many Eye State Assembly Elections for a Comeback
Draft Ward Plan Released for Upcoming Rural Body Elections in Pune; Suggestions Accepted Till July 21
Leaders from both major alliances—BJP-led Mahayuti and Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—are preparing for the upcoming state elections despite setbacks in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Several politicians who lost in the parliamentary elections are now focusing on assembly seats, viewing this as an opportunity to reconnect with voters and regain political ground.
In Pune, Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, who lost the Pune LS seat to BJP’s Murlidhar Mohol, is planning a political comeback. Dhangekar, a five-time former corporator, gained attention after defeating BJP’s Hemant Rasane in the 2023 Kasba Peth bypolls. He is expected to be fielded from Kasba Peth again and has already begun strategizing with party workers. “I am confident that I will get the chance to contest again from Kasba Peth,” Dhangekar said.
One such leader is BJP’s Sujay Vikhe Patil, who lost the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat but is now gearing up to contest the Sangamner assembly constituency, a Congress stronghold represented by senior leader Balasaheb Thorat. Sujay’s father, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, a state minister, is also set to contest from the neighboring Shirdi seat. “Yes, we have requested a ticket for Sujay from Sangamner. The decision will be made by the BJP’s parliamentary board. I fully support Sujay’s decision,” Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said.
Sangamner has been a Congress bastion for decades, with Balasaheb Thorat winning eight consecutive assembly elections. The BJP is now looking to field a strong candidate, and Sujay Vikhe Patil could pose a significant challenge to Thorat. “Sangamner has lagged behind for years. I can bring development to the region,” said Sujay Vikhe Patil.
In Sangli, BJP leader Sanjaykaka Patil, who lost to Congress rebel Vishal Patil in the LS elections, is pushing for his son, Prabhakar Patil, to contest from the Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal constituency. Last week, Sanjaykaka Patil met with deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar to discuss his interest. “We have expressed our intentions to both Fadnavis and Ajit dada Pawar. The seat-sharing process is still ongoing, and we will decide the next steps once it’s finalized,” he stated. Prabhakar Patil might contest under the NCP (SP) banner, facing Rohit Pawar of NCP Sharad Pawar’s faction in what could be a new-generation political battle.
On the MVA side, NCP (SP) leader Shashikant Shinde, who lost the Satara LS seat to BJP’s Udayanraje Bhonsle, is preparing to contest from the Koregaon assembly constituency. Shinde, backed by Mathadi workers, is set to face a stiff contest, having lost the 2019 Koregaon assembly seat to Shiv Sena’s Mahesh Shinde but later becoming an MLC.
In Solapur district, BJP MLA Ram Satpute, who lost to Congress’ Praniti Shinde in the LS polls, is keen to contest the Malshiras seat again. Satpute faced criticism during the LS election for being seen as an outsider, a debate that the influential Mohite-Patil family is reigniting ahead of the assembly elections. NCP (SP) is expected to field Uttamrao Jankar, a prominent Dhangar community leader, to challenge Satpute.
Meanwhile, in Amravati district, Navneet Rana, who also lost in the LS elections, is hoping to contest from the Daryapur assembly seat. However, the seat may go to Shiv Sena, with local leader Abhijit Adsul possibly being fielded instead.
For many of these politicians, the assembly elections are seen as a chance for political rehabilitation following their Lok Sabha defeats. The scramble for tickets is intensifying, with candidates lobbying for support from both MVA and Mahayuti alliances or considering independent bids.
