In the backdrop of the ongoing movement demanding Maratha reservation under the leadership of Manoj Jarange-Patil, this time the election has become less about national issues and more about caste politics.
There are a total of 41 candidates in the fray but the contest is mainly between Pankaja and Bajrang Sonawane.
The BJP removed sitting MP Pritam Munde and replaced him with his elder sister and former minister of state Pankaja, who has influence among the Vanjan community and OBCs in general.
This was BJP's attempt to compensate for the possible loss of Maratha votes.
Besides, the BJP also counted on the active support of Pankaja's former cousin and NCP minister Dhananjay Munde to increase the vote share.
This is significant because Pankaja was defeated by Dhananjay in the 2019 assembly elections and the rivalry between the two may not return until the Mahayuti government comes into existence.The BJP is hopeful that it will face all the hurdles and consolidate its strength in Beed on the basis of 'Modi's guarantee' and the Mahayuti government's move to provide 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community and help the OBCs and minorities.
Moreover, Pankaja, who was upset at being ignored by the party after its defeat in the 2019 assembly elections, is taking advantage of the strength of C MLAs and her sister and sitting MP Pritam Munde.
However, there are two negative factors against him. First, Pankaja became inactive after her defeat in the assembly elections and second, she continued to criticize the party leadership until she was rehabilitated through her nomination.
On the other hand, NCP (SP) has brought a big gun into the fight by fielding cooperative businessman Bajrang Sonawane from the Maratha community.This is because Jyoti Mete, widow of late pro-Maratha leader and Shiv Sangram founder Vinay Mete, has decided to support Bajran Sonawane.
Moreover, many Maratha reservation pro-organisations have been at the forefront of working for Bajrang Sonawane, posing a serious challenge to Pankaja and me to make it a Maratha vs OBC fight.
Interestingly, former minister Jaydutt Kshirsagar, who comes from the oil community, has come out openly in support of Bajrang Sonawane.
On its part, the NCP (SP) is confident of making further inroads in Beed before the next assembly elections to be held in September-October this year.
Beed, traditionally a Congress stronghold, later became a BJP stronghold after former Union minister Gopinath Munde took the party to the grassroots by reaching out to communities other than Brahmins and Marathas.There are approximately 7.25 lakh Marathas in the constituency; OBCs include 3 lakh Ar Vanjaris and 2 lakh Malis, 2.50 lakh backward classes, 1.1 lakh Banjaras and 3.25 lakh Muslims.
Muslims are mainly supporting Bajrang Sonawane to oppose BJP at the state and national level.
Following the Maratha quota protests, there has been polarization of Maratha votes, resulting in strong resentment against the ruling Mahayuti, mainly in the Gevrai, Beed and Majalgaon assembly constituencies.
In response, OBCs have demonstrated unity in the remaining constituencies. Both Pankaja and Bajrang Sonawane are reaching out to their communities amid the current divide.As the campaign gained momentum, Pankaja faced opposition from the Maratha community in various parts of the constituency as a section of community leaders claimed that she appeared friendly to the Maratha community till the elections, but later herself Take pride in presenting him as the leader of the Maratha community. Vanjari community.
Not only Pankaja but Mahayuti leaders also have to face the anger of the Maratha community.
On the other hand, Bajrang Sonawane, who joined NCP (SP) after parting ways with Ajit Pawar-led NCP, is getting red carpet treatment from the Maratha community of Gevrai and Majalgaon.
Interestingly, Bajrang Sonawane got a boost after Eknath Shinde-led Shisena leader Suresh Navale left the party and is now actively working for him.
NCP (SP) MLA from Beed, Sandeep Kshirsagar, whose house was burnt during the Maratha quota agitation, has activated his election machinery in support of Bajrang Sonawane.
There are a total of 41 candidates in the fray but the contest is mainly between Pankaja and Bajrang Sonawane.
The BJP removed sitting MP Pritam Munde and replaced him with his elder sister and former minister of state Pankaja, who has influence among the Vanjan community and OBCs in general.
This was BJP's attempt to compensate for the possible loss of Maratha votes.
Besides, the BJP also counted on the active support of Pankaja's former cousin and NCP minister Dhananjay Munde to increase the vote share.
This is significant because Pankaja was defeated by Dhananjay in the 2019 assembly elections and the rivalry between the two may not return until the Mahayuti government comes into existence.The BJP is hopeful that it will face all the hurdles and consolidate its strength in Beed on the basis of 'Modi's guarantee' and the Mahayuti government's move to provide 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community and help the OBCs and minorities.
Moreover, Pankaja, who was upset at being ignored by the party after its defeat in the 2019 assembly elections, is taking advantage of the strength of C MLAs and her sister and sitting MP Pritam Munde.
However, there are two negative factors against him. First, Pankaja became inactive after her defeat in the assembly elections and second, she continued to criticize the party leadership until she was rehabilitated through her nomination.
On the other hand, NCP (SP) has brought a big gun into the fight by fielding cooperative businessman Bajrang Sonawane from the Maratha community.This is because Jyoti Mete, widow of late pro-Maratha leader and Shiv Sangram founder Vinay Mete, has decided to support Bajran Sonawane.
Moreover, many Maratha reservation pro-organisations have been at the forefront of working for Bajrang Sonawane, posing a serious challenge to Pankaja and me to make it a Maratha vs OBC fight.
Interestingly, former minister Jaydutt Kshirsagar, who comes from the oil community, has come out openly in support of Bajrang Sonawane.
On its part, the NCP (SP) is confident of making further inroads in Beed before the next assembly elections to be held in September-October this year.
Beed, traditionally a Congress stronghold, later became a BJP stronghold after former Union minister Gopinath Munde took the party to the grassroots by reaching out to communities other than Brahmins and Marathas.There are approximately 7.25 lakh Marathas in the constituency; OBCs include 3 lakh Ar Vanjaris and 2 lakh Malis, 2.50 lakh backward classes, 1.1 lakh Banjaras and 3.25 lakh Muslims.
Muslims are mainly supporting Bajrang Sonawane to oppose BJP at the state and national level.
Following the Maratha quota protests, there has been polarization of Maratha votes, resulting in strong resentment against the ruling Mahayuti, mainly in the Gevrai, Beed and Majalgaon assembly constituencies.
In response, OBCs have demonstrated unity in the remaining constituencies. Both Pankaja and Bajrang Sonawane are reaching out to their communities amid the current divide.As the campaign gained momentum, Pankaja faced opposition from the Maratha community in various parts of the constituency as a section of community leaders claimed that she appeared friendly to the Maratha community till the elections, but later herself Take pride in presenting him as the leader of the Maratha community. Vanjari community.
Not only Pankaja but Mahayuti leaders also have to face the anger of the Maratha community.
On the other hand, Bajrang Sonawane, who joined NCP (SP) after parting ways with Ajit Pawar-led NCP, is getting red carpet treatment from the Maratha community of Gevrai and Majalgaon.
Interestingly, Bajrang Sonawane got a boost after Eknath Shinde-led Shisena leader Suresh Navale left the party and is now actively working for him.
NCP (SP) MLA from Beed, Sandeep Kshirsagar, whose house was burnt during the Maratha quota agitation, has activated his election machinery in support of Bajrang Sonawane.
