Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the state president of the BJP, affirmed that all decisions related to candidate selection for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are exclusively made by the central leadership of the party. Addressing party workers in Solapur, Bawankule emphasized that the top echelons of the party determine who receives the ticket to contest and who is omitted from the list.
Bawankule used his own political trajectory as an illustration, stating, “I served as an MLA for 15 years and held the position of cabinet minister with the power portfolio in the BJP-led coalition. However, the central leadership instructed me not to contest the 2019 Assembly polls. I adhered to their decision and fulfilled the assigned task.”
His remarks were directed at ticket aspirants who may believe they are the most deserving candidates. As the upcoming Lok Sabha polls approach, the number of aspirants vying for tickets often surpasses the available seats, creating a competitive atmosphere within the party.
Specifically referring to the Madha Lok Sabha constituency, where the sitting MP is Ranjeet Naik Nimbalkar, Bawankule commended Nimbalkar for his development work in the region. However, he clarified that praising an MP does not guarantee them the ticket, as decisions are made by the party’s top leaders.
The statement holds significance in light of the rivalry for the Lok Sabha seat in Madha between Ranjeet Naik Nimbalkar and Ranjit Mohite Patil, both belonging to well-established political families in the region. Supporters of Ranjit Mohite Patil (MLC) are actively advocating for his candidature, adding a layer of complexity to the ticket allocation process.
