Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Shantaram More Aims For 3rd Term From Bhiwandi Rural

With Maharashtra Assembly Elections round the corner, a fierce battle is unfolding in Bhiwandi Rural constituency where Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde group's Shantaram More is eyeing for a third consecutive term. He will take on formidable opponents from various parties, including Uddhav Thackeray faction's Mahadev Ghatal. This contest is not just a battle for political supremacy but also a test of the developmental claims made by the contestants in a region where over 3 lakh 35 thousand voters are keenly observing the proceedings.

The Shiv Sena Shinde group, in collaboration with BJP and NCP's Ajit Pawar group, has demonstrated significant electoral strength in Bhiwandi Rural in recent elections. This stronghold sees Shantaram More, a two-time MLA, aiming for a hat-trick, backed by his record of initiating development projects worth approximately two thousand crores in the past five years. These projects have notably enhanced the constituency's infrastructure, paving the way for More's anticipated electoral advantage.

Development Initiatives Spearheaded by More

The developmental works in Bhiwandi Rural under Shantaram More's tenure, especially the allocation of Rs 290 crore towards road and bridge construction, have significantly boosted his re-election campaign. The visible improvements in local infrastructure, alongside the strategic distribution of funds across the Nidhithane district, underscore More's commitment to his constituency's progress. This focused approach to development, particularly the extensive roadwork completed, underscores the tangible benefits of More's leadership in Bhiwandi Rural.

The Grand Alliance, dominant in the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha constituency, is consolidating its power, aiming to replicate its previous electoral success. The alliance's influence extends across five of the six assembly constituencies within the region, with only one constituency aligning with the Samajwadi Party. This political landscape sets the stage for a compelling contest, especially given More's significant vote share in the last election, where he secured 83,567 votes in a three-cornered fight.

Innovative Reforms and Financial Allocations

Highlighting the coalition's developmental agenda, the Mahayuti government's initiatives, such as declaring a village in Bhiwandi taluka as carbon-neutral and the ongoing project to transform 121 villages into Mandal Villages, reflect a commitment to sustainable development. These efforts, alongside significant financial injections into the region, including support for approximately fifty-two lakh farmers via the Pradhan Mantri Shetkari Samman Yojana and empowerment of around one lakh women through the Ladaki Bahin Yojana, underline the coalition's broader developmental and welfare strategies.

Despite the formidable opposition, the strategic allocation of resources, such as the substantial funds directed towards Bhiwandi Rural by the Shinde government, evidences a tactical advantage. The district's receipt of 1,154 crores in the last budget, with a significant portion allocated to Bhiwandi Rural for essential infrastructure projects, highlights the constituency's prioritization in the coalition's development agenda.

In this electoral contest, the distribution of votes among the opposition, particularly between the MNS and the Thackeray group, could further tilt the scales in More's favor. The MNS's performance in the 2019 elections, where it garnered 39,000 votes, points to a potential division of the anti-Mahayuti vote, potentially consolidating More's position in the upcoming elections.

The Bhiwandi Rural Assembly election is poised as a referendum on developmental politics, with Shantaram More's record of extensive infrastructure projects setting a high benchmark. The electorate's response to these initiatives will be crucial in determining the political landscape of this Maharashtra constituency. As the region gears up for the 2024 elections, the focus is firmly on the contrasting development narratives presented by the contenders, with More's tenure's tangible achievements serving as a significant factor in the electoral calculus.