Lok Sabha Elections 2024: NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal opts out of race from Nashik

Senior NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal announced his decision to withdraw from seeking a ticket in the Nashik Lok Sabha constituency, aiming to resolve the impasse surrounding the coveted seat also sought by ally Shiv Sena. The sitting MP from Nashik, Hemant Godse, hails from the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Bhujbal explained during a press conference that during seat-sharing negotiations with ruling allies Shiv Sena and BJP, NCP chief and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had asserted their claim to the Nashik seat, citing their party’s greater representation of MLAs in the region.

Bhujbal recounted that while the name of his nephew, Sameer Bhujbal, was proposed during discussions, BJP leader and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said I should contest even though I had not asked for a ticket,” he said. Chief Minister Shinde, however, insisted on retaining the seat for the Shiv Sena due to the incumbent MP’s affiliation with their party. Despite weeks of deliberation, no decision was reached, causing delay while the opposition MVA’s candidate had already commenced campaigning. Bhujbal further disclosed his conversations and said “I had asked deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule about the announcement of Sameer Bhujbal’s candidature, and both said the BJP leadership wanted me to contest.” The senior minister said, claiming that “all sections of society express support for my candidature for the development of nashik but his name was not announced.