(L-R) NCP(SP) leader Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray
Credit: PTI File Photos
Mumbai: Nepotism is dead; long live nepotism. This seems to be the guiding principle for all political parties in candidate selection for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.
In a multi-cornered battle between the ruling Maha Yuti (NDA) —comprising BJP, Sinde-led Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP — and Maha Vikas Aghadi (I.N.D.I.A. bloc) — including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar’s NCP — almost a hundred candidates are linked to powerful political families who control Zilla Parishads, APMCs, District Cooperative Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks, credit societies, and municipal councils.
BJP
Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to bring in 1 lakh youth without political backgrounds into politics, the BJP’s touchstone in candidate selection remains winnability.
The party has fielded former chief minister Ashok Chavan’s daughter Shreejaya Chavan from Bhokar, the family seat in Nanded district. Shreejaya is the granddaughter of Congress stalwart and former CM Shankarrao Chavan.
BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar and his brother Vinod Shelar have got tickets. In the Kontan belt, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg MP and former chief minister Narayan Rane’s son has been renominated from Kankavli.
Similarly, late Congress chief minister Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar’s grandson Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar is contesting from Nilanga on BJP ticket.
Those with “image” issues, like sitting MLAs Babanrao Pachpute and Ganpat Gaikwad, have been replaced by their immediate family. Babarao’s wife Pratibha Pachpute and Ganpat’s spouse Sulabha Gaikwad are contesting from Shrigonda and Kalyan-East respectively.
Shiv Sena
State Industries Minister Uday Samant’s brother Kiran Samant will contest from the Rajapur seat in Ratnagiri district.
The family members of newly-elected Shiv Sena MPs, Sandipan Bhumare and Ravindra Waikar, will see their relatives contesting. Shinde has fielded Nilesh Rane - the son of Narayan Rane - from Kudal.
NCP (Ajit Pawar)
Baramati, for one, epitomises ‘parivaar-vaad’ in Indian politics. The Sharad Pawar family bastion involves blood relatives - NCP president and state’s deputy CM Ajit Pawar facing his nephew and NCP (SP) candidate Yugendra Pawar.
The NCP is reportedly facing rebellion in Nashik as Chhagan Bhujbal’s nephew and former MP Sameer Bhujbal has decided to contest as an Independent from Nandgaon. Chhagan Bhujbal was fielded from Yeola days after his son Pankaj Bhujbal was sent to the Maharashtra Legislative Council from the Governor’s quota.
Dhananjay Munde, nephew of late BJP stalwart Gopinath Munde, will contest the family seat of Worli as his cousin sister Pankaja Munde has been sent to Maharashtra Legislative Council.
Congress
Mumbai Congress president and MP Varsha Gaikwad’s sister Jyoti Gaikwad has been fielded in Dharavi. Late CM Vilasrao Deshmukh’s sons Amit and Dhiraj have retained their seats.
Sunil Deshmukh, son of Congress veteran Punjabrao Deshmukh, has been fielded from Amravati.
Congress has also given a ticket to Anuja Kedar, wife of MLA Sunil Kedar.
The grand old party has also fielded Balasaheb Thorat (Sangamner), former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan (Karad South) and two-time sitting MLA Kunal Patil (Dhule Rural).
NCP (Sharad Pawar)
Former deputy CM and Home Minister R R Patil’s son Rohit Patil will contest Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal, which is now represented by his mother Suman Patil.
Another Pawar family member, Rohit, will seek re-election from Ahilyanagari seat.
NCP (SP)’s Bhagyashree Atram will contest against her father and state minister Dharmarao Baba Atram, who is from Ajit’s party.
Shiv Sena (UBT)
Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aaditya Thackeray will defend his Worli seat.
Aditya’s cousin Varun Sardesai will contest from Vandre East in Mumbai. Party MP Sanjay Raut’s brother Sunil Raut will contest Vikhroli.