Rebels, multi-cornered contests and dynasts – that’s the overriding theme of the Assembly elections that are coming up this month. Of the 4000 plus candidates in the fray, more than 20 are related to current and former politicians. No political party, despite making loaded statements about not supporting dynasties, is an exception to this trend.
Dynasts, it is believed, have ‘elective value’ with a ready support base, dedicated cadre, the goodwill the family may carry in the constituency and a familiar surname. Sons, daughters, nephews, nieces and in-laws are making their electoral debut in an election which is being fought more on allegations, accusations and changing loyalties than an ideology or development plans. If some offspring remain in the relative’s party, others are trying their luck in different parties with even siblings being split by political alliances.
PART - 3
Amit Thackeray, MNS
While his father is flamboyant and a crowd-puller, Amit is known to be quieter and low-key. Raj Thackeray’s son has been seen on MNS posters for several years but is now set to make his electoral debut from Mahim.
Kedar Dighe, Shiv Sena (UBT)
While he hasn’t been active in politics until now, at 44, Kedar Dighe makes his electoral debut from the Shiv Sena (UBT) which is seeking to pit Anand Dighe’s nephew against the Dighe senior’s protégé and incumbent chief minister Eknath Shinde from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency.
Sana Malik, NCP
Senior leader Nawab Malik’s daughter is said to have managed her father’s constituency while he was in prison. Sana is now contesting the elections from Anushaktinagar.
Amar Patil, Shiv Sena
His father Ratikant Patil son has been an MLA and a Shiv Sena leader for years. Amar will contest the Solapur South seat.
Mayuresh Wanjale, MNS
His late father Ramesh Wanjale became the MNS’s first legislator from Pune when he won the state assembly elections from Khadakwasala in 2009. He was best recognised as the man with layers of thick gold around his neck earning him the nickname of the ‘Gold Man’.
Prabhavati Ghogare, Congress
at 57, is the oldest among political debutantes with a lineage in politics. Prabhavati is contesting on a Congress ticket from Shirdi, which was earlier held by her father-in-law Chandrabhan Ghogare.
Jyoti Gaikwad, Congress
A lecturer, she is following in the footsteps of her father Eknath Gaikwad and her sister Varsha who is a former minister and now a member of Parliament. Jyoti is set to contest the polls from Dharavi, a constituency her late father and sister have represented.
Archana Patil, BJP
The daughter-in-law of former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil-Chakurkar, a veteran Congress leader, joined the BJP recently. She is challenging Congress' Amit Deshmukh in Latur.
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