Nitesh Rane: Controversial Leader Seeking Hattrick From Kankavli (image:x.com/NiteshNRane/)

When the BJP announced the first list of candidates for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra, Nitesh Rane secured nomination for Kankavli constituency. Rane who led the constituency in 2014, and 2019, hopes to obtain a hattrick win from Kankavli.

Also Read | Sreejaya Ashok Chavan And Her Political Debut From Bhokar

Nitesh is the elder son of Union Minister and former chief minister Narayan Rane. In September 2017, Nitesh’s father quit his decades-long association with the Congress and floated his party, Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha. In 2018, his party extended support to BJP in the election, and on October 2018, Narayan Rane merged his party into the BJP.

Meanwhile, a management professional, Nitesh began his career by forming a non-governmental organisation called “Swabhiman Sanghatana”. It focuses on bringing social issues such unemployment, health services and basic amenities in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai. He has also served as the general secretary of Youth Congress in Mumbai, till conflict between him and other local Congress posed him to quit from the post.

In 2014 Assembly polls, Nitesh secured victory from Kankavli assembly segment by defeating BJP candidate Jathar Pramod Shantaram by a margin of 25,979 votes. In 2019 polls, Nitesh contested again from Kankavli but on a BJP ticket. In the election, he defeated Shiv Sena candidate Satish Jagannath Sawant by a margin of 28,116 votes.

Also Read | Gauri Lankesh Murder Accused Removed From Shinde Sena After His Re-Induction

Nitesh‘s inflammatory speeches targeting the Muslim community often invited controversies. In September, Rane stirred a new controversy with his “oath” for real estate brokers in Ulwe. During his visit, he urged the brokers to take an oath “not to deal with non-Hindus” and to check Aadhaar cards before proceeding with any deal, the mint reports. Following, the FIRs has been lodged against Rane citing speeches of provocative nature.

The 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra will go to polls on November 20.