Nashik: The incumbency factor seems to be playing a huge role in the buzz about candidates battling it out in the upcoming election on Nov 20 for three assembly constituencies located across Nashik city — namely, Nashik East, Nashik West, and Nashik Central seats. A diverse range of poll agendas confront these nominees as the race intensifies. All three segments will witness sitting BJP MLAs fighting off a fresh challenge from either an opposition candidate or a rebel from within their own ranks, who broke away and joined a rival outfit after denial of a ticket.
Infra and safety in focus For instance, in Nashik Central, which spans two distinct zones — the congested old city areas, including Saraf Bazar and other ‘gaothan' areas, and the upscale localities of Gangapur Road, Sharanpur Road, Mumbai Naka and Kathegalli, a significant minority community population of around 70,000 supported MVA in the recent Lok Sabha elections. There are 30,000 to 40,000 Dalit voters too. The Maratha community with over 20% vote share will play a pivotal role in the result.
Two-time Nashik Central MLA and BJP nominee Devyani Pharande faces a challenge in this seat from Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vasant Gite. Both hail from the OBC community. MNS has also fielded its candidate.
But many believe the party's influence on voters here is not strong enough. "People have seen my work over the past 10 years. I have brought various projects to my constituency and been extremely vocal on issues relat.