BJP's Smita Wagh And Why Jalgaon Candidacy Is Her Redemption (image:facebook.com/smitataiwaghbjp)

For BJP leader Smita Wagh, her nomination from the Jalgaon constituency is a kind of redemption. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, she was the BJP”s pick for the Jalgaon seat in Maharashtra, but later Chalisgaon MLA Unmesh Patil replaced her. As per reports, dropping her name has elicited criticism due to internal conflicts within the party. Again, in a surprising move, the leadership has chosen Smita Wagh”s candidacy for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls over sitting MP Unmesh Patil.

Smita Wagh”s association with the BJP started in her early days – with the Vidyarthi Parishad and movement. Since starting as a member of the Zilla Parishad, her journey with the party has been linear. Smita Wagh reached the position of Zilla Parishad President and then got elected as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. She has also served as the woman president of the Maharashtra BJP. Besides, she has also exercised roles such as Jalgaon District Mahila Aghadi District President, State Vice President of the BJP, and new Executive State President. Her successful undertaking of organisational responsibilities and contributions to society paved the way for obtaining her candidacy.

Hailing from Jalagaon itself, Smita Wagh expressed confidence in her victory. When she was asked about withdrawing her candidacy in the 2019 election, she replied, “It is the past. I have no issues on that episode and I have put it behind me,” the Times of India reports, as Smita Wagh is saying. Adding further, she said that her continued engagement with the BJP leadership and her belief in the central leadership’s merit-based decision-making process kept her going.

The Jalgaon Lok Sabha constituency belongs to northern Maharashtra. It has been counted as the traditional stronghold of the saffron party. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP”s Unmesh Patil secured victory by defeating NCP nominee Gulabrao Deokar by a margin of 4,11,617 votes.