Nitin Gadkari files nomination from Nagpur, seeks 3rd term
NAGPUR: Union minister for transport and national highway Nitin Gadkari filed his nomination papers from Maharashtra’s Nagpur constituency on Wednesday, the last day for filing of papers ahead of the Lok Sabha polls beginning April 19.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, NCP leader Praful Patel, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Banwankule, and leaders from RPI and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) were also present at the district collectorate on Wednesday afternoon when Gadkari submitted his nomination papers before the returning officer, Vipin Itankar. Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis said that Gadkari is a national leader and he should be honoured by a record-breaking victory margin in Nagpur.
Before filing his nomination, Gadkari led a grand road show from his residence in Rajiv Nagar on Wardha Road to the collectorate, culminating at the RBI square where he paid respects to the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Seeking a third term in Lok Sabha from Nagpur, a constituency housing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters, Gadkari’s candidacy holds significant weight within the ruling party, signaling its intent to strengthen its position.
Raju Parwe, a sitting Congress MLA, also filed his nomination papers alongside Gadkari after being nominated by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) from Ramtek constituency.
Gadkari is pitted against Congress candidate Vikas Thakre, a vocal sitting MLA and Nagpur city Congress president. The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has declared its support for Thakre.