Maharashtra's NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal steps back from Nashik electoral contest amidst MahaYuti alliance's uncertainty over the Lok Sabha seat.

In a bid to resolve the impasse within the ruling MahaYuti alliance regarding the Nashik Lok Sabha seat, NCP leader and Minister Chhagan Bhujbal opted to step back from the contention on Friday. The deadlock emerged as both Bhujbal and current Shiv Sena MP from Nashik, Hemant Godse, were competing for nominations from this constituency.

Bhujbal, a seasoned OBC leader, highlighted the detrimental impact of the indecision on the Nashik seat, emphasizing the loss of crucial campaigning time. He noted that the Opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance had already declared its candidate for the seat, intensifying the urgency to resolve the deadlock within MahaYuti. Bhujbal emphasized that prolonged indecision would demand greater efforts from MahaYuti to secure victory.

During a press conference in Mumbai, Bhujbal explained his decision to withdraw from the Nashik race, stating that he did not wish to prolong the internal struggle. He clarified that his decision did not reflect any discontent towards the NCP leadership and expressed willingness to support the MahaYuti candidate chosen for Nashik.

Acknowledging the consideration of his name by prominent leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Bhujbal pledged wholehearted campaign support for the MahaYuti candidate in Nashik and other constituencies.

With Bhujbal's withdrawal, the responsibility now falls on the BJP and Shiv Sena, the other MahaYuti partners, to finalize their candidate for the Nashik seat. While the BJP has asserted its claim based on its strength, Hemant Godse, the current Shiv Sena MP, had already commenced campaigning, advocating for his renomination.