Maharashtra Assembly elections: Congress likely to renominate Sanjay Jagtap as NCP, Shiv Sena splits to have direct impact in Purandar

The Congress will likely renominate Jagtap as its candidate, while Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is all set to field former state minister Vijay Shivtare. Jagtap is confident about his victory, inspired by Supriya Sule’s convincing win from the NCP (SP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She secured a victory over Sunetra Pawar, also from the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, winning by a margin of 158,333 votes.

“The strong presence of Congress and followers of NCP (SP) along with the support of Shiv Sena (UBT) will help Jagtap retain the seat,” said a Congress leader. “Shivtare made a lot of noise against the Ajit Pawar-led NCP ahead of Lok Sabha elections, so he will not get the support of the alliance partner,” the Congress leader said, adding that Jagtap had done a lot of work in the constituency which was recognised at the national level with Swachh awards.

Meanwhile, Shivtate is working hard to regain the seat he lost in 2019 after serving as MLA for one term. “I want to ensure planned development of the Purandar constituency. There is a need for a separate municipal corporation for the area alongside Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and I am going to push for it,” he said.

Shivtare said the international airport proposed in the constituency would bring further regional development. He is banking on the support of alliance partners—Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the BJP. “I have managed to get development projects for the constituency while the sitting legislator has not contributed anything to the growth of the area,” he said.

Know the constituency: Purandar

Purandar, named after Purandar Fort, is close to Pune city. It has the major Jejuri temple town in its jurisdiction. Most residents rely on Pune city for employment. The market for its agricultural produce is mainly the city. However, it is expected to witness a changeover due to the proposed international airport. A separate municipal corporation is likely to be established to ensure the proper planned development of the area.

This constituency was once a stronghold of the Janata Dal and later the Congress under Sharad Pawar. The Shiv Sena managed to win the seat in both 2009 and 2014, with Vijay Shivtare serving as the legislator. However, in 2019, Sanjay Jagtap of the Congress won the seat with the support of the NCP, defeating Shivtare.