Second-rung leaders drive BJP campaign

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The BJP’s Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti campaign was largely driven by second-rung leaders, strengthening the party’s bid to capture the Zilla Parishad president’s post. Under the leadership of election in-charge and OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save, the party machinery worked intensively across the district.

In the final phase, BJP deployed its second-line leadership after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis refrained from campaigning following the demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Campaign responsibilities were handled by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, state BJP president MLA Ravindra Chavan, Atul Save, Environment Minister Pankaja Munde, MP Dr Bhagwat Karad, MLC Sanjay Kenekar and MLA Anuradha Chavan, and former MP Raosaheb Danve. Several of the 57 newly elected corporators were assigned ward- and group-wise duties. Across the district, contests were largely direct as the Mahayuti alliance remained nominal, leading to BJP and Shinde Sena candidates facing each other in most talukas, similar to the municipal corporation polls. Second-rung and state-level leaders held four to five meetings daily. MLA Anuradha Chavan focused on Phulambri and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, while MLA Prashant Bamb campaigned in Gangapur and Khuldabad. Other talukas were coordinated by local units with city-level support.

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BJP wins 24 of 57 seats

BJP fielded candidates on its symbol in 44 guts, supported candidates in 11, had two Mahayuti candidates, and did not contest six guts. Of the 57 seats contested, 24 BJP candidates won. The district has 63 guts 33 under the western district president and 30 under the northern. For Panchayat Samiti polls, BJP fielded 83 candidates, supported 17, allied with the Shinde Sena in seven guns, and did not field candidates in 25 guns.