MNS’s Ganesh Bhokare Enters Kasba Race, Four-Way Contest Looms
MNS’s Ganesh Bhokare Enters Kasba Race, Four-Way Contest Looms
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has chosen young candidate Ganesh Bhokare to contest from the Kasba Assembly constituency, raising concerns among major rival parties. Despite no prior indication of his selection, Bhokare’s name was announced in MNS’s fourth candidate list, sparking surprise among opponents.
MNS president Raj Thackeray’s wife, Sharmila Thackeray, personally submitted Bhokare’s nomination. She highlighted that people are eager for fresh faces, noting that Bhokare is the youngest and most qualified candidate for Kasba. Bhokare narrowly lost in the past two elections, but Sharmila expressed confidence in his chances, saying people want change.
On his part, Bhokare expressed gratitude to the party for nominating a “common and young worker.” He pledged to repay the support by winning the Kasba seat. Prominent MNS leaders, including Party Leader Babu Vagaskar, General Secretary Bala Shedge, and City President Vanita Vagaskar, attended the nomination, signaling strong party backing for Bhokare.
This election follows a high-profile 2024 by-election that was held after the death of Girish Bapat, where Congress’s Ravindra Dhangekar won the seat, taking it from the BJP, which had held it for over 30 years. This time, Dhangekar will contest again for Congress, facing off against Bhokare. Meanwhile, former Mayor Kamal Vyavahare has also joined the fray from the Swarajya Party, adding another dynamic to the contest.
The race in Kasba is set to be a four-way battle, with Congress, BJP, MNS, and Swarajya Party vying for victory. Dhangekar, who once ran on an MNS ticket and finished second, has a strong voter base in Kasba, signaling that MNS still holds influence in the region.
Adding to the intrigue, MNS did not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but backed the NDA, setting them up as a decisive force in the upcoming Assembly election, especially across Mumbai’s 36 seats. The BJP’s choice for Kasba is eagerly awaited as they face increased competition on all fronts.
