The Chinchwad assembly constituency gears up for a heated contest as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Shankar Jagtap, a prominent local figure, faces off against Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) candidate Rahul Kalate in the upcoming Maharashtra polls on November 20, 2024. This direct contest was set after NCP leader Nana Kate, who initially filed as an independent, withdrew following Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s intervention.
The Jagtap family has long held influence over the Chinchwad seat. Laxman Jagtap, a respected BJP leader, represented the constituency for three consecutive terms until his passing in 2023. His wife, Ashwini Jagtap, won the ensuing by-poll, and now Shankar Jagtap, her brother-in-law, steps into the political arena to continue the family’s legacy. This is Jagtap’s first assembly race, while Kalate, a seasoned candidate, is contesting for the fourth time.
The constituency faces several pressing issues: persistent water shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and urban congestion. Many residents express dissatisfaction, citing the dependency on water tankers and severe traffic due to narrow and encroached roadways. Voters in areas like Sangvi and Rahatni, comprising a mix of working-class and elite communities, hope that their new representative will address these concerns meaningfully.
Campaign promises reflect each candidate’s focus on development. Jagtap pledges infrastructure upgrades, digital learning programs, and a vision to make Pimpri-Chinchwad a “world-class city.” He also plans for water supply augmentation, sewage treatment, and new public transport initiatives. Conversely, Kalate emphasizes a holistic approach, prioritizing education, employment opportunities, and health services, intending to transform Chinchwad into a well-planned urban zone over the coming decades.
Chinchwad’s electorate faces a decisive choice between continuity in the Jagtap legacy and Kalate’s promise of change in addressing the community’s evolving needs.
 candidate Shankar Jagtap, a prominent local figure, faces off against Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) candidate Rahul Kalate in the upcoming Maharashtra polls on November 20, 2024.){kind=link}