Kasba bypoll: MNS lends support, gives BJP reason to cheer

BJP candidate Hemant Rasane will be contesting against Congress’s Ravindra Dhangekar, who was with the MNS earlier and had put on a good performance in previous Assembly elections.

Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). (File)

Giving the BJP a reason to cheer, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has declared its support to the BJP candidate for the Kasba Assembly bypoll in Maharashtra, where the saffron party is facing a tough contest. Voting will be held on February 26.

The BJP has fielded Hemant Rasane for the Kasba seat, picking the loyal party worker over other aspirants, including family members of former sitting legislator Mukta Tilak, whose demise last December necessitated the bypoll. Rasane will contest against Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar, who was with the MNS earlier, and had put up a good performance in the 2009 Assembly election on an MNS ticket.

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After the MNS declared on Tuesday that it would support the BJP as it was the only party effectively taking forward the issues of Hindutva and development, local BJP leaders soon held a meeting with the local MNS leader. “The MNS has conveyed their support to BJP in bypoll. This has provided more strength to BJP candidate in Kasba,” a BJP statement said. Former mayor Murlidhar Mohol, BJP in-charge of the election, also thanked MNS for its support.

The BJP picked Rasane over Mukta Tilak’s family members but though the Tilak family expressed disappointment over being denied a party ticket, they said they would continue to work for BJP. The BJP is also concerned about giving candidature to a non-Brahmin leader in its bastion of Kasba which has continuously picked a BJP candidate from the Brahmin community in the last few decades.

The Congress, which is contesting the seat as per a seat-sharing arrangement with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance partners NCP and Shiv Sena, has fielded Dhangekar. He had contested the Assembly election from Kasba in 2009 as an MNS candidate, giving a tough fight to senior BJP leader Girish Bapat.

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“Dhangekar managed good votes in 2004 due to his popularity among the voters. This is a concern for BJP in the present situation when the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is with MVA and has increased strength of Congress,” said a Congress leader, adding that Dhangekar also enjoys a following among MNS and Shiv Sena party workers in Kasba.

The BJP is taking all possible efforts to retain its seat while banking on a sympathy vote after Tilak’s death. It has planned to rope in four Union ministers in its list of 40 star campaigners for the Assembly elections. The BJP is also making leaders of its alliance partners Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, RPI (A) and RSP campaign for its candidate.

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On the other hand, the NCP and Thackeray-led Shiv Sena have extended full support to Dhangekar. Former chief ministers Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan and Sushilkumar Shinde, along with senior party leaders, will be campaigning for Dhangekar.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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