With the application of sixth candidate, an independent, declared invalid, the five remaining candidates of Mahayuti contesting the Legislative Council by-elections were announced victorious unopposed. The three candidates from Vidarbha- Dadarao Keche (Wardha) and Sandip Joshi (Nagpur) from Bharatiya Janata Party and Sanjay Khodke (Amravati) from Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) had filed their nominations. None from the Opposition — Maha Vikas Aaghadi (MVA) fielded its candidates for five by-poll seats. A candidate had filed the nomination as an Independent. But during scrutiny, his application was found invalid. The last date for filing the nominations was March 17.

 

The scrutiny was held on March 18. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Sandip Joshi was accorded rousing welcome by citizens, supporters and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on his arrived in Nagpur. Joshi arrived in city from Mumbai after filing his nominations for the Legislative Council by-elections. Thousands of BJP workers and office-bearers thronged the residence of Joshi to wish him well.

 

The supporters showered flowers on Joshi using a JCB while greeting him. Amid the thunder of dhool-tasha, the BJP workers celebrated Joshi’s victory by presenting tribal dance and fireworks. BJP Nagpur City President Jitendra (Bunty) Kukde, Jayaprakash Gupta, Rambhau Ambulkar, Vishnu Changde, Guddu Trivedi, Nagpur City General Secretary Ashwini Jichkar, City Mahila Aghadi President Pragati Patil, Ritesh Gawande, Vinod Kanhere, BJP Yuva Morcha City President Badal Raut and Mandal Presidents of Sarva Yuva Morcha were present. 

 

 

Sandip Joshi, who is known for his organising skills, became the 9th Mayor of Nagpur to enter the State House as a legislator. Others include Bar Sheshrao Wankhede, Bhausaheb Mulak, Haribhau Naik, Krishnarao Pandav, Devendra Fadnavis, Prof Anil Sole, Vikas Thakre and Pravin Datke. He is considered as the close friend of Fadnavis. After his defeat in Graduate polls, people felt that his career was over and he would never become legislator. He struggled a lot. Fadnavis after becoming Deputy Chief Minister during Shinde Government bestowed the responsibility of Honourary Secretary on the shoulders of Joshi. He started Deendayal Thali at Government Medical College and Hospital for patients’ relatives. He is carrying legacy of his father Diwakarrao Joshi who won Teachers’ polls. His father-in-law Prakash Sathe, known as cycle-man was Corporator. MLC by-polls declared and Central Election Committee of BJP announced Joshi’s name as its candidate. It will take some time for the official announcement of his victory but he has almost won it.