BJP Pins Hope On Shweta Mahale To Retain Chikhli Constituency (image:instagram.com/shwetamahalepatil)
BJP leader Shweta Mahale Patil’s win from Chikhli constituency in the 2019 Assembly polls was counted as a notable achievement. In the polls, she wrested the seat by defeating then sitting Congress MP Rahul Bondre by 6,810 votes. Bandre was gearing up for a hat-trick win in the election. By fielding Mahale again from Chikhli in the upcoming polls, the party is confident about her second consecutive win.
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Though Shweta was a first-time legislator she had made significant contributions during her debut stride as a lawmaker. Her resolute initiatives during the Covid-19 pandemic in particular has earned wider acclaim and appreciation. She had introduced the “Dhwani Rath” campaign to inform and educate the public about the importance of hygiene, use of masks and social distancing. Through this programme, Mahale took efforts to distribute 25,000-30,000 masks in her constituency.
She was also forefront in confronting local issues, especially her decision to relocate crowded vegetable markets to larger areas to facilitate social distancing during the pandemic was indeed commendable. Besides, she ensured safety and protection to migrant workers who where traveling during lockdowns.
In March 2021, Mahale has demanded police probe against an incident in Jalgaon district where women residing in a hostel were allegedly compelled to perform naked marking her engagements in the public issues of concern as of a capable and efficient legislator.
Acknowledging Mahale’s remarkable contribution in the field of public service, she has received the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Award in the ‘Debutante Politician’ category last year.
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The 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra will go to polls on November 20. The ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state consists of the BJP, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the opposition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).
The Maharashtra Assembly elections mark the first after the Shiv Sena and NCP parties split in June 2022 and July 2023, respectively.
