Pune: In a move that surprised many, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has announced Ganesh Bhokre as its candidate for the Kasba Peth Assembly seat in the upcoming elections.

Bhokre’s unexpected nomination, revealed in MNS’s fourth list of candidates released today, has caught the attention of the opposition, adding an unexpected twist to the Kasba constituency race, now shaping up to be a four-way contest.

The Kasba assembly constituency gained attention earlier this year when Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar won the seat in a by-election following the death of BJP stalwart Girish Bapat.

Dhangekar ended BJP’s 30-year hold on the constituency, and the Congress has re-nominated him for the upcoming election. In response, the MNS has fielded Ganesh Bhokre, an energetic young activist known for his grassroots involvement and social work in the Kasba Peth area.

In addition to Congress and MNS, former Pune mayor Kamal Vyavahare recently joined the Swarajya Party and announced her candidacy, intensifying the competition.

This four-way race is expected to be closely contested, as each candidate brings unique strengths and voter bases.

Ganesh Bhokre has been an active MNS supporter and is a member of a prominent Ganesh mandal in the area.

His commitment to addressing local issues and community work has earned him recognition among the residents of Kasba Peth, potentially giving him an edge among young voters.

The BJP has yet to announce its candidate, keeping the political landscape in Kasba dynamic as voters await the final line-up.