In a surprising turn of events, Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar has emerged as a potential contender for Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Pune. Dhangekar, who secured a notable victory in the bypolls for the Kasba Assembly seat last year, defeating BJP’s Hemant Rasane, has set the stage for a dynamic electoral battle.
The buzz around Dhangekar’s candidacy gained momentum as his posters claiming the “Dhangekar pattern is coming back for traffic-free Pune” went viral on social media. When approached by The Free Press Journal to confirm his intentions, Dhangekar responded, “If the party gives me a chance, I will definitely contest the elections.”
Dhangekar’s victory in the Kasba bypolls marked a significant shift, breaking the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) stronghold on the seat for 28 years. Now, his entry into the Lok Sabha race adds a new dimension to the political landscape.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Congress had fielded Mohan Joshi as its candidate, who faced defeat against BJP’s Girish Bapat by over 3 lakh votes. While Joshi has expressed his desire for a ticket in the upcoming elections, he acknowledged that the final decision rests with the party’s high command.
“I’ve been a representative face of the Congress for several decades in the city. My tenure in the Maharashtra Legislative Council saw decisions that significantly benefited the citizens. Even thereafter, my commitment has remained steadfast towards addressing people’s concerns and resolving their issues. While I’ve expressed my interest in contesting the Lok Sabha polls this time, the final decision rests with the high command,” stated Joshi.
The competition for the Congress ticket is fierce, with approximately 20 aspirants in the fray, including city Congress chief Arvind Shinde, former MLAs Balasaheb Shivarkar and Anant Gagil, and other senior leaders. Radio Jockey Sangram Khopade has also thrown his hat into the ring, seeking a Congress ticket. The final decision on candidate selection is eagerly awaited, as the contenders await the nod from the party’s leadership.
