Maharashtra Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Did onions upset BJP ally’s winning appetite in Nashik?

Workers sort and pack onions for domestic markets and for exports at Lasalgaon wholesale market in Nashik. Pic/Ashish Raje

Of the three important Lok Sabha constituencies in the Northern Maharashtra (Khandesh region), BJP won in Jalgaon and Raver, while losing the key seat of Nashik, which had been a BJP-Sena undivided combine stronghold. Was it the onion export ban that resulted in BJP's loss in Nashik?

With farmers, exporters, producers, labourers and the entire agriculture market affected by the ban in export of onions that reportedly spoiled the delicate balance affecting one and all, the two-time Sena and BJP ally MP from Nashik Hemant Godse lost his seat to Uddhav Sena's first time Lok Sabha contestant and former MLA Rajabhau Waje.

Nashik has been an important constituency with six Assembly segments and has one of the country's largest onion markets at Lasalgaon, which had been badly affected by the onion export ban this season with the government allegedly ignoring pleas, leading to massive losses to several farmers and exporters.

Raver

Two-time BJP MP Raksha Khadse wins again

Two-time MP, 36-year-old Raksha Nikhil Khadse from the BJP has managed to get a significant lead over her closest contestant NCP (SP) Lok Sabha candidate Shriram Dayaram Patil by a margin of 2,71,048 votes at 6 pm. The key issues in this area had been irrigation-related issues, support to farmers and development of infrastructure. During her campaign trail, Khadse had told mid-day that her focus would remain development, while Patil had claimed to have a connection with the people, knowing their pulse and promising to work for them. In 2019, Khadse won with 6,55,386 votes against Dr Ulhas Patil of the Congress Party who had garnered 3,19,504 votes. In 2014, Khadse won with 6,05,452 votes against Manish Jain of the NCP who had received 2,87,384 votes.

Jalgaon

BJP wins despite rebellion

Smita Uday Wagh, 56, has turned the tables by leading in Jalgaon against Shiv Sena (UBT)'s new face Karan Pawar by a margin of 2,47,969 votes at 6 pm. Patil was backed by BJP MP Unmesh Patil, who had switched sides and joined Uddhav Sena as he had been denied a ticket by the BJP. Key issues here included unemployment, irrigation and water. In 2019, Patil who is now with Uddhav Sena had won the seat with 713,874 votes against Gulabrao Deokar of the NCP who had garnered 3,02,221 votes. In 2014, BJP's A T Patil had won the seat with 6,47,773 votes against NCP's Dr Satish Patil who had secured 2,64,248 votes.

Nashik

Shiv Sena UBT trounces two-time BJP-ally MP

The Shiv Sena (UBT) 59-year-old Rajabhau Waje, and was leading over BJP ally's sitting two-time MP Hemant Godse by a margin of 1,01,313 votes at 6 pm. Waje had won the candidature by defeating many veterans. He has been a loyal Shiv Sainik and is a former MLA of Sinnar Assembly constituency.
The key issues in Nashik have been mostly agrarian, unemployment and rapidly increasing urbanization calling for infrastructure upgrades. In 2019, Godse had won the seat with 5,63,599 votes against NCP's Dr Sameer Bhujbal who had got 2,71,395 votes. In 2014, Godse had won the seat with 4,94,735 votes against NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal who had secured 3,07,399 votes.