Thu Nov 07 08:15:33 UTC 2024: ## Triangular Contest Heats Up in Pune’s Kothrud Constituency

**Pune, November 7, 2024:** The race for the Kothrud constituency in Pune has turned into a three-way battle, with incumbent BJP candidate Chandrakant Patil facing a strong challenge from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS.

Patil, the current Maharashtra Minister and former state BJP president, is seeking re-election in the constituency that has been a BJP stronghold since 2014. However, this time he faces a formidable opponent in Chandrakant Mokate, a former Shiv Sena MLA from Kothrud, who is confident of a victory due to his local roots.

The MNS has nominated Kishor Shinde, who previously contested against Patil in 2019, adding another layer of complexity to the contest. Shinde claims that Patil’s tenure has been unremarkable and believes that the people of Kothrud will support him.

The main issue in the campaign is the lack of infrastructure development in the area, particularly the persistent traffic woes. While Patil highlights his close connection with the people and promises significant development, his rivals point to the lack of progress on issues like traffic congestion and the need for a more extensive metro network.

The outcome of the election will be influenced by the candidates’ ability to address these concerns and mobilize their respective party bases. With the BJP aiming to retain its hold on the constituency, the contest is expected to be close and fiercely fought.

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