Lok Sabha 2024 elections: BJP in a spot in Nandurbar as Shiv Sena, local BJP leaders seek replacement for Heena Gavit

The state BJP has deputed Balasaheb Bhegde and Ashok Uike as observers to hold discussions with Nandurbar BJP office-bearers and leaders to ascertain the ground reality. The observers after a series of interactions with the district party leaders will appraise the state leadership.

While agreeing to the fact that it is a general practice to retain sitting MP, highly placed sources in BJP said, “The party takes the decision to replace its sitting MP in extraordinary situations – if there is huge anti-incumbency against the candidates within constituency; or in situation where it believes the sitting MP will not be able to give tough contest to opponents for various reasons including caste or community combination etc”.

The Nandurbar Lok Sabha constituency, which is in the tribal belt of north Maharashtra, was once a Congress bastion when leaders such as Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had always started the poll campaigns from Nandurbar.

In 2014, Heena Gavit, a medical graduate, was a fresher in politics when she joined the BJP just two weeks before Lok Sabha elections. Heena, daughter of senior minister Vijaykumar Gavit, though was new to politics, proved a giant killer by defeating Congress veteran and nine-time MP Manikrao Gavit. Five years later in 2019, Heena consolidated her turf and retained the seat for BJP.

Amidst political pressure from ally Shiv Sena and noises within the BJP seeking a replacement, the big question is will Heena Gavit create a hat trick in 2024 polls.

Underplaying the differences within MahaYuti alliance, Heena Gavit said, “I have focussed on development especially in the medical sector in the tribal belt. I have a strong public connection. The welfare of the Nandurbar region is my primary concern”.

Therefore, she expressed confidence in getting another chance to serve the people of Nandurbar region.

The state Congress leaders believe that BJP got a break in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha because it fielded a new candidate backed by the Modi factor. In 2024, tribals in Nandurbar will vote for a change as the BJP has not brought any meaningful change in their lives.

Nandurbar, a Congress forte till 1952

The Nandurbar Lok Sabha constituency formed in 1952 has been Congress forte till 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Former union minister Manikrao Gavit represented the Nandurbar in the Lok Sabha from 1981to 2009. He lost in 2014. In the 2019 elections the Congress replaced Gavit with K C Padvi, only to be defeated by Heena Gavit again.

Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Chandrakant Raghuvansi said, “We are not against BJP staking claim on Nandurbar Lok Sabha seat. Our demand is that they should replace Heena Gavit with another candidate. We will accept any other BJP candidate”.

Those opposed to Heena Gavit complained that she was not taking alliance partners into consideration in Nandurbar. The Shiv Sena felt ignored. Some in BJP also argue that, “She does not cater to our interests. We are being sidelined in the constituency”.

The Nandurbar Lok Sabha has six Assembly segments – Akkalkuwa (Kagda Padvi – Congress); Shahada (Rajesh Padvi – BJP); Nandurbar (Vijaykumar Gavit – BJP); Navapur (Shirishkumar Naik – Congress); Sakri (Manjula Gavit – Independent); Shirpur (Kashiram Pawara – BJP).

Out of the six Assembly segments BJP has three seats, Congress two and Independent one seat.