BJP shows strength in Badlapur as President candidate files nomination

BADLAPUR: On the second-last day of filing nominations for the Badlapur Municipal Council elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) displayed a major show of strength as its President (Mayoral) candidate, Ruchita Ghorpade, submitted her nomination form.

The event witnessed an impressive turnout of party workers and leaders.With the Mahayuti alliance failed to materialize between the BJP and Shiv Sena in Badlapur, the upcoming election is expected to see a direct contest between the two parties. Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has yet to finalize its candidate for the President post.For the Badlapur Municipal Council polls, the BJP has formed an alliance with the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and the RPI.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP is set to field nine candidates in this election of which eight filed nomination on Sunday with Ghorpade.

On Sunday, several prominent leaders were present for Ghorpade’s nomination filing, including former Union Minister Kapil Patil, MLA Kishan Kathore, and Ashish Damle, Chairman of the Parshuram Economic Development Corporation (PEDC).Badlapur, once considered a BJP stronghold, has seen Shiv Sena’s Waman Mhatre win the President post for the last two consecutive terms.

This time, Shiv Sena may field his wife, Veena Mhatre, and the party is confident of retaining the seat.Speaking at the nomination event, former Union Minister Kapil Patil said, “Badlapur has elected a BJP mayor twice in the past. In keeping with the spirit of the city's name, Badlapur, this election will definitely bring a change, and we are confident the BJP will reclaim the President’s post.”Local BJP MLA Kishan Kathore has also been actively working to ensure that the BJP secures the President position this time.