Prashant Bamb
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : BJP MLA Prashant Bamb and NCP MLC Satish Chavan — who were bitter adversaries, especially during the 2024 assembly polls—have patched up their differences for the upcoming Aurangabad division graduates’ constituency election. As Marathwada graduates’ constituency election drew near, Bamb alleged that Chavan had done nothing for graduates during his 18-year tenure, claiming he had only pursued contracts and ruined govt schools and colleges. Aurangabad graduates’ constituency goes to the polls on Friday, with 842 polling stations set up across the region to facilitate voting.
“My constituency has around 12,000 graduate voters, and I am leaving no stone unturned to ensure all of them vote for Chavan,” Bamb said recently, adding that onlookers should refrain from raking up past disputes between them. During the previous assembly polls, Chavan was with Sharad Pawar faction of NCP and unsuccessfully challenged Bamb in the Gangapur assembly constituency. Even after the election, the intense rivalry between the two leaders persisted, culminating in a public letter war over the issue of halting increments for zilla parishad (ZP) teachers who failed to reside at their official headquarters. Bamb had been consistently vocal against Chavan’s performance as an MLC. He went so far as to assert that Chavan lacked the qualifications to represent graduates, had no genuine concern for teachers, and would certainly lose if the Mahayuti alliance fielded a formidable candidate. Following the announcement, Bamb raised eyebrows by accompanying Chavan as the sitting MLC filed his nomination. the BJP MLA stated he was simply toeing the party line While his presence surprised graduate voters who recalled the sharp attacks exchanged between the two leaders just a few months prior. As the campaigning progressed, Bamb predicted that Chavan would register a victory by the highest margin compared to any other MLC poll in the state. The seat has emerged as a high-stakes prestige battle for NCP, as the election represents a direct contest for the party’s legacy against the rival NCP faction.