Maharashtra Minister Bhujbal says he is withdrawing from race for Nashik Lok Sabha ticket

Bhujbal said during the seat-sharing talks with the ruling allies Shiv Sena and BJP, NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar staked claim to the Nashik seat

Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Chhagan Bhujbal addresses the media, in Mumbai, on April 19, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

After weeks of discord among the Mahayuti allies over the Nashik Lok Sabha seat, Cabinet Minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday announced his withdrawal from the electoral fray. He said the delay in announcing a candidate for the seat was affecting the prospects of the ruling coalition.

Mr. Bhujbal’s move paves the way for the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena to claim the seat, with two-time party MP Hemant Godse seeking a third consecutive win. Nashik goes to polls in the fifth and final phase in Maharashtra on May 20.

‘Breaking deadlock’

Speaking in Mumbai, Mr. Bhujbal, an OBC leader and three-term MLA from Yeola in Nashik, said the BJP top brass, particularly Union Home Minister Amit Shah, had been insistent on him contesting the seat, but “it was essential that the deadlock be broken and hence I am stepping back from the poll fray”.

Thanking Mr. Bhujbal for withdrawing from the race, Mr. Godse said, “We now expect the rift within the Mahayuti over this seat to be resolved soon.”