Twist in Kolhapur politics: Maloji Raje back in the Assembly grounds; Will you get candidature from Congress?
Kolhapur: Former MLA Maloji Raje, who had distanced himself from local politics after the 2009 defeat in Kolhapur Assembly constituency, has re-entered the political arena. A football-loving Maloji Raje is now ready to challenge his political opponents in the 2024 Assembly elections, for which he has well campaigned in the by-elections. Among the many sculptors, including Guardian Minister Satej Patil, in the recent by-election victory of the Congress, Maloji Raje also takes precedence. As a result, he is now a strong contender for the Congress seat in the forthcoming elections. (Malojiraje Chhatrapati News)
In the Kolhapur assembly constituency elections held in 2004, Maloji Raje defeated Suresh Salokhe of Shiv Sena. He became an MLA on a Congress ticket. He missed the hat-trick of Salokhe, a two-time Sena MLA. He made significant contributions to the development of the city for five years by helping training institutes and many other works. However, he lost the 2009 assembly elections. Rajesh Kshirsagar of Shiv Sena became MLA. After the defeat, their contact was reduced. Therefore, in 2014, he rejected the Congress candidature. There was a lot of discussion about his candidature in 2019 too, but even then he did not decide to enter the field. Therefore, the Congress candidature fell on the neck of Chandrakant Jadhav and he was easily elected. In the Assembly by-elections, he campaigned in many parts of the city where he had influence. As a result, Congress got majority of votes in some areas including Uttareshwar, Budhwar Peth, Shivaji Peth. Jayashree Jadhav’s victory was made easier as he rushed to the aid of the Congress at the right time. Satej Patil’s perfect planning, the process carried out by his governing body, the help given by Shiv Sena, the generous hand given by the NCP and the participation of Maloji Raje and Madhurima Raje in the campaign are also considered to be important reasons.
Maloji Raje’s entry in the by-elections could prove his candidature for the forthcoming Assembly. It has been decided that Maloji Raje will enter the fray on the symbol of Congress, whether the Mahavikas front is strong or not. The by-election campaign has shown that he will once again plant contacts in this constituency in the next two and a half years. The BJP had fielded his brother Sambhaji Raje from the President’s quota. His term expires on May 3. This has also cleared the way for Maloji Raje as the party problem has ended. Sambhaji Raje will announce his decision next month. Earlier, Maloji Raje had clarified his future political direction by launching a campaign.
