Senior BJP Minister Girish Mahajan's wife and BJP nominee Sadana Mahajan defeated the NCP candidate Anjali Pawar by 8,400 votes and won the President post of Jamner Municipal elections in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra.
Interestingly, the BJP also bagged all 25 seats in this corporation elections.
Girish Mahajan is the close aide of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Recently, Mahajan had also emerged as a troubleshooter for the chief minister by resolving the farmer's protest and successfully meditating during Anna Hazare’s protest in Delhi.
Initially, the NCP tried to give the tough fight by fielding a candidate from the dominating Mali community in the city, whereas, Mahajan belongs to Gujjar community that has little presence in Jamner. However, caste calculation did not work for the NCP favour.
Girish Mahajan said that this is the victory of the people.
“People voted for the development of the Jamner city. They did not succumb to the caste politics and false propaganda of the NCP and the Congress. We will continue to work for the people,” Mahajan said after the victory.
NCP leader in Jalgaon said that the BJP minister Mahajan camped for 15 days in the city. “Besides, he visited each and every house. They also offered the Rs 5,000 for per votes. This is nothing but the victory of the money and muscle power,” said NCP leader, requesting anonymity fearing harassment from the BJP minister.
This election was important in the sideline of estranged BJP leader Eknath Khadse who also belongs to the same district. Mahajan has been known as the political rival of Khadse even though they both are in the same party.
“To turncoat Khadse, chief minister Fadnavis also protects and supports Mahajan time to time. Now, the victory of Mahajan wife in municipal elections will strengthen his political position not only in Jalgaon district but in the state politics,” said a political observer.
