Chhagan Bhujbal, OBC strongman and Veteran leader of the Nationalist Congress Party is facing an existential crisis. Out of jail last year facing charges in the alleged Maharashtra Sadan scam is touring extensively in Nashik and Dindori Lok Sabha constituencies in a bid to retain what was once his pocket borough. In 2014, Bhujbal had lost to Shiv Sena nominee Hemant Godse who won Nashik seat by 1,87,336 votes. The BJP candidate Harischandra Chavan retained Dindori seat defeating NCP nominee Narhari Zirwal riding on the Modi wave in the 2014 election.
However, much water has flown under the Godavari. The NCP has fielded Bhujbal's nephew and former MP Sameer Bhujbal from Nashik and Dhanraj Mahale, son of senior socialist leader Haribhau Mahale from the Dindori seat. Bhujbal hopes that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's decision to support his party will benefit his nephew in Nashik.