Maharashtra civic polls: With 2 former party legislators in BJP camp, Congress virtually non-existent in Saswad and Bhor

In Bhor, Thopte continued to hold the political reins for decades, but his defeat in the Assembly elections by the NCP candidate paved the way for a mega change in the politics of the region. Thopte jumped over to the BJP, cutting decades-old ties with the Congress. Now, Thopte is leading the BJP’s charge against the Ajit Pawar-led NCP to establish supremacy in local politics.

Campaigning on in full swing in the Saswad Nagar Parishad area. (Express photo by Pavan Khengre)

“There are 49 candidates in fray for 21 wards of Bhor Nagar Parishad. However, only one Congress candidate is contesting the civic elections while the BJP and the NCP are contesting all the seats,” said Gajanan Shinde, CEO, Bhor Nagar Parishad.

Bhor resident Shreyas Jambhulkar noted, “Except one, the Congress could not even field candidates in civic polls despite holding power for decades. This means the Congress is finished as all its workers have switched over to the BJP along with the leaders. The BJP had a very bleak presence in the area, and suddenly it got a much-needed push under the leadership of Thopte.”

Though the BJP and the NCP are allies at the state and national levels, he said that there is a tough fight between the two in Bhor Nagar Parishad. The municipality falls under the Baramati parliamentary constituency.

In Saswad, too, former Congress district unit chief Sanjay Jagtap switched over to the BJP. The Saswad Nagar Parishad is witnessing a triangular fight among the BJP led by Jagtap, Shiv Sena led by MLA Vijay Shivtare and the Shiv Sena (UBT), which is contesting with the support of the NCP(SP) and the Congress.

“It is time for voters to stand by those committed to the development of Saswad and a candidate who has self-respect and does not change political parties for personal gains,” said Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Abhijit Jagtap, who is contesting for the post of president of Saswad Nagar Parishad.

Local Trader Suresh Mojhe said, “The Saswad civic body has seen good development under the leadership of Sanjay Jagtap. It has been awarded at the national level for cleanliness. Many believe in the ideology of the Congress, but no one is there to lead the party.”

The elections to the Bhor and Saswad Nagar Parishads will be held on December 2, and the counting will be conducted on December 3.