Karjat Jamkhed, located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, is a significant constituency among the 288 assembly seats in the state. Known for its political importance, this unreserved seat has become a key battleground in Maharashtra's electoral landscape. In the 2024 assembly elections, the race is heating up as BJP candidate Ram Shinde, a prominent leader from the Dhangar community, seeks to reclaim the seat he lost in 2019. Shinde is aiming for a political comeback against the sitting MLA, Rohit Pawar, the grandnephew of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar.

In the 2019 assembly elections, Rohit defeated Shinde by a significant margin of 43,347 votes. Rohit secured 135,824 votes, while Shinde garnered 92,477. This marked a significant win for the NCP in a region that had been a BJP stronghold until then. 

A three-way contest

As the 2024 election approaches, the race for Karjat Jamkhed has become a three-way contest. Alongside Rohit Pawar (NCP) and Ram Shinde (BJP), Arun Jadhav from the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) is also contesting the seat, further adding complexity to the battle. 

This high-profile contest is made more intense by the political developments surrounding both candidates.

Rohit Pawar faces additional challenges this time around. Several of his close associates have switched sides ahead of the elections, particularly with the recent split in the NCP. The division within the party has intensified with the Ajit Pawar faction now opposing Rohit Pawar. Ajit Pawar, who previously supported Rohit in his 2019 campaign, has shifted allegiance, leaving many local NCP leaders in his camp. This political rift may have a significant impact on Rohit Pawar’s prospects in the 2024 elections.

Karjat Jamkhed: A drought-prone region with developmental struggles

Karjat Jamkhed is a drought-prone area heavily reliant on agriculture, but it faces significant developmental challenges. The region lacks proper river and railway connectivity, which hinders economic growth. Villages such as Fakrabad, Jawala, Nannaj, Kavadgaon, and Dhanora are particularly vulnerable to droughts, which adds to the already difficult living conditions of the local population.

Candidates

A total of 11 candidates are contesting the Karjat Jamkhed seat in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. The key contenders include Prof. Ram Shankar Shinde from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rohit Pawar from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP – Sharadchandra Pawar faction). Other candidates in the race are Dattatray Atmaram Sonwane from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Karan Pradip Chavan from the Republican Party of India (A), and Ram Prabhu Shinde representing the All India Forward Bloc. Additionally, Somnath Haribhau Bhailume is contesting under the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi banner. A number of independent candidates are also in the fray, including Ram Narayan Shinde, Rohit Chandrakant Pawar, Shahaji Vishwanath Ubale, Satish Shivaji Kokare, and Hanumant Ramdas Nigude. With such a diverse set of candidates, the election is expected to be highly competitive.