Mumbai, April 1 – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Central Election Committee announced Akshay Shivajirao Kardile as its candidate for the by-election in Maharashtra’s Rahuri Assembly constituency on Wednesday.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of BJP legislator and former Minister Shivajirao Kardile in October last year. Shivajirao Kardile was a veteran political leader with a long-standing presence in the district and state cooperative sector. Akshay is the son of the late leader.
Polling is scheduled for April 23, with counting on May 4.
The selection of Akshay Kardile signals the BJP’s intention to consolidate its influence in the Ahilyanagar district, formerly known as the Ahmednagar district. Rahuri has historically been a competitive constituency, often witnessing intense contests between the major political forces in Maharashtra.
By nominating Kardile, the party appears to be focusing on local leadership to navigate the specific regional dynamics of the Rahuri constituency. The party also seems keen to capitalize on the sympathy wave to challenge the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which has yet to reach a consensus on a candidate for the by-election.
Former NCP(SP) Minister Prajakt Tanpure has expressed interest in contesting the by-election, but has yet to receive approval from the party leadership and also from its allies, including the Congress and Shiv Sena.
This by-election is being seen as a crucial test for the party’s standing in the state’s Legislative Assembly, ahead of broader electoral cycles.
Meanwhile, the by-election in Baramati is also scheduled for April 23, following the untimely death of former Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President Ajit Pawar.
NCP will field Ajit Pawar’s wife and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, hoping that she will be elected unopposed. The Congress party has stated that it is keen to field its nominee, but has yet to make a formal announcement, as there are few takers for the nomination.
Political observers say that the elections in Rahuri and Baramati are a significant test for both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), following major shifts in the state’s political landscape.
The by-elections are taking place after the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena had a strong performance in the recently concluded local body elections in January.