Ground report: In Nashik, it's turncoat vs loyalist, with a twist

In Nashik’s electoral contest, the main battle is between Hemant Godse (L) and Rajabhau Vaje. (Courtesy: X)

Nashik is one of the thirteen Lok Sabha constituencies where there is a head-to-head contest between candidates from the two factions of Shiv Sena. However, the race has turned three-sided with the entry of a spiritual leader into the fray. The Maratha agitation is also likely to influence the election results. Initially, the NCP was eager to field its veteran Chhagan Bhujbal from this seat but ultimately yielded to pressure from the Mahayuti alliance partner Shiv Sena.

Nashik is the city where PM Narendra Modi unofficially launched his election campaign in Maharashtra last January. He held a roadshow and prayed at the city's renowned Kalaram Temple. Although the BJP hasn't nominated any candidate here, its alliance partner Shiv Sena has put forward its two-time MP Hemant Godse.

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The situation became complicated during the seat-sharing negotiations within the Mahayuti alliance when the NCP also staked a claim to the seat, citing the electability of Chhagan Bhujbal. However, Shiv Sena's Hemant Godse was unwilling to relinquish the seat. Following the split within Shiv Sena in June 2022, Godse joined the Shinde faction. Traditionally, the seat has gone to Shiv Sena in the BJP-Shiv Sena (Undivided) alliance, so Godse assumed he would get another opportunity to contest from this seat. However, Bhujbal's unexpected entry, backed by the endorsement of Modi and Shah, introduced a twist in the story. Despite belonging to a different party, Bhujbal's name was proposed due to his sway in the constituency. Bhujbal is a prominent Other Backward Communities (OBC) leader and has been an MLA from the Yeola assembly constituency in Nashik district since 2004.

Although Hemant Godse ultimately secured the nomination, he now faces another challenge from a spiritual leader named Shantigiri Maharaj, also known as Mauni Baba, who is running as an independent. Maharaj previously ran for election in 2009 from the Aurangabad constituency, garnering 1.5 lakh votes. He has a substantial following in Nashik as well. Maharaj's candidacy has unsettled the Mahayuti camp as they fear it could split voters who support the Hindutva ideology. Efforts by top Mahayuti leaders, including CM Eknath Shinde, to convince Maharaj to withdraw his candidacy have failed. Maharaj is campaigning vigorously and making his presence felt in the constituency. Although Shantigiri Maharaj is a key figure in Nashik’s electoral contest, the main battle is between Hemant Godse and Rajabhau Vaje of Shiv Sena (UBT). Vaje, a former MLA, has a reputation as a farmers' leader. He believes there is anger among the farmers against the NDA government and anti-incumbency sentiment against Godse, which will help him win the election. Top leaders from both sides have campaigned for their candidates. Last Wednesday, PM Modi addressed a rally in Nashik for Godse, followed by Uddhav Thackeray’s public meeting in support of Vaje. On Thursday CM Eknath Shinde organised a roadshow to campaign for Godse.

The Nashik Lok Sabha constituency consists of six Vidhan Sabha segments, five held by Mahayuti and one by MVA. Voting in Nashik is scheduled for May 20.