Gangapur

BJP leaders in Marathwada are restless after revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule suggested that the party may give up its claim over the Aurangabad division graduates' constituency seat. His remarks indicate that the Mahayuti alliance has agreed to keep the seat with the party that held it before. That points to NCP getting the ticket.

Sitting MLC Satish Chavan has already started his campaign for the upcoming MLC poll. No official candidate announcement has come from the Mahayuti side yet, but the picture is pretty clear.

BJP workers from Marathwada are unhappy. They pushed hard for maximum voter registration in the constituency, hoping a BJP candidate would get the ticket. One local leader said plainly that they have visited top leaders multiple times to share their feelings. Even with Bawankule's hints, they still hold out hope for a last-minute change.

Gangapur BJP MLA Prashant Bamb was among those openly opposing a Mahayuti ticket for Chavan. BJP leaders have repeatedly pointed out that Chavan lost the 2024 assembly election from Gangapur against the Mahayuti candidate.

If BJP steps back, it will be the first time the party stays out of the fray for this constituency poll. On Saturday, 31 aspirants collected 59 nomination forms and 10 candidates filed their papers. So far, 174 forms have been issued to 97 aspirants and 12 candidates have filed nominations, as per official data.