From a no-contest to a close fight, BJP and Congress to battle it out in Dhule

Spanning two districts—Dhule and Nasik, BJP’s candidate for Lok Sabha elections 2024 is Dr. Subhash Bhamre, a former Minister of State for Defence, who is aiming to secure a third term. After much internal debate, the Congress eventually fielded former Minister of State Dr. Shobha Bachhav, whose candidacy sowed the seeds of dissent in the party and led to the defection of Congress’s Maharashtra general secretary and district president of Nashik rural Tushar Shewale to the BJP. Bachhav’s candidacy was also challenged on grounds of her being an outsider.

The Dhule Lok Sabha constituency includes Dhule rural ( held by Congress), Dhule city (AIMIM), Sindkheda (BJP) in Dhule district, Malegaon Central (AIMIM), Malegaon Outer (Shiv Sena), and Baglan (BJP) assembly constituencies.

In a constituency with over 25 per cent minority, the Congress has an advantage as both the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) are not in the fray.

Despite having two MLAs, the AIMIM chose not to contest the seat. From the VBA, former IPS officer Abdur Rahman, who resigned during the CAA agitation, was slated to contest but his nomination was rejected as the Maharashtra government did not accept his resignation. The Congress has also gained support from former independent MLA Anil Gote from Dhule city.

The discontent among onion farmers in Nasik district, exacerbated by issues like cotton prices and drought-like conditions, has become apparent in the region. The failure to find a lasting solution to these issues, coupled with anti-incumbency sentiments after two terms, may work against Bhamre.

Despite favorable conditions, internal strife within the Congress and a lack of aggressive campaigning pose challenges to the Opposition’s chances in the constituency. The Congress candidate has not been able to complete a full tour of the entire constituency. Besides Tushar Shewale, Malegaon Congress chief Dr. Rajendra Thakre also left the Grand Old Party and was inducted into the BJP by Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule. The BJP is banking on the popularity of PM Modi and the extensive network of the party, as well as RSS-affiliated organizations, to mobilize voters.

Last October, the lone Congress MLA from Dhule, Kunal Patil, saw his Jawahar Cotton Mill being raided by the Income Tax department, with the case still ongoing. Moreover, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership in Nasik district, particularly the influential Hire family, has remained aloof from the campaign as Advay Hire is currently in jail for alleged financial irregularities in the Nasik District Central Cooperative Bank.

Earlier this year, when the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra reached Dhule, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the home of Kunal Patil to meet his ailing father, veteran Congress leader Rohidas Patil, and even video-called Sonia Gandhi for a chat with him. The party hopes to reclaim its traditional voter base.