Shinde garnered 1,59,060 votes while Dighe could secure 38,343 votes only.
This constituency, considered Shinde’s stronghold, holds particular significance following his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, which split the Shiv Sena.
Shinde, has represented Kopri-Pachpakhadi since its formation in 2009, securing three consecutive terms. Shinde’s main opponent, Kedar Dighe, is the nephew of the late Anand Dighe, a Shiv Sena stalwart and Shinde’s former mentor. Although Kedar has never held a legislative position, his connection to Anand Dighe resonates with voters.
Adding intrigue to the contest is independent candidate Manoj Shinde, who was suspended by Congress for anti-party activities and is now vying for the seat against the official nominee of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
The constituency has seen fierce campaigning, with both factions of Shiv Sena treating it as a litmus test of their influence. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena and its allies in the BJP-Ajit Pawar-led NCP coalition, collectively known as the Mayayuti, have faced sharp criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT), which has labeled Shinde a “traitor” for his role in toppling the MVA government.
2024 Candidates and Parties
| Candidate Name | Party |
|---|---|
| Eknath Shinde | Shiv Sena |
| Kedar Prakash Dighe | Shiv Sena (UBT) |
| Babukumar Kamble | Lokrajya Party |
| Sushila Kamble | Republican Bahujan Sena |
| Ahamed Afzal Shaikh | Independent |
| Jumman Khan | Independent |
| Manoj Shinde | Independent |
| Mukesh Tiwari | Independent |
| Suresh Patilkhede | Independent |
Electoral Significance
Kopri-Pachpakhadi holds significant importance for both factions of the Shiv Sena. After Shinde’s rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022, this election is seen as a litmus test of his leadership and his claim to Anand Dighe’s legacy.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s Naresh Mhaske defeated UBT’s Rajan Vichare by a margin of 44,875 votes in this assembly segment, further solidifying Shinde’s dominance.
2019 Assembly Election Results
| Candidate Name | Party | Votes | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eknath Shinde | Shiv Sena | 1,13,497 | 65.36% |
| Sanjay Ghadigaonkar | Congress | 24,197 | 13.93% |
| Mahesh Kadam | MNS | 21,513 | 12.39% |
| Bagwe Unmesh B | VBA | 5,925 | 3.41% |
| NOTA | – | 5,147 | 2.96% |
In 2019, Shinde had secured a sweeping victory in the assembly elections from this seat, defeating Congress candidate Sanjay Ghadigaonkar by a margin of 89,300 votes. The constituency’s voter base, totaling 3.38 lakh registered voters with 1.58 lakh women, remains a crucial factor in deciding the outcome.
Voting for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections was held in a single phase on November 20, with results set to be announced on November 23.
