Who is Congress' Vikas Thakre, set to take on Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur

Former Nagpur Mayor and current MLA of Nagpur West, Vikas Thakre, has been nominated by the Congress as its candidate for the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming elections. Thakre, who also serves as the President of the Nagpur District Congress Committee and a Trustee of Nagpur Improvement Trust, is gearing up to contest against the BJP leader who has held the Nagpur seat for the past two terms.

Expressing confidence in his party's strong voter base and past achievements, Thakre dismissed Gadkari's claims of an easy victory, emphasizing that every election seat is a battleground. He underlined his commitment to fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to him by the party, promising to put his best foot forward.

Vikas Thakre's grasroot connection

Thakre dismissed Gadkari's claims that he'd win with a significant margin. He pointed to the Congress' robust voter base and track record of election victories in the region. Thakre showcased his grassroots connections and understanding of issues faced by the community, contrasting it with what he perceives as Gadkari's detachment from ground realities.

Thakre criticized the BJP's focus on infrastructural development, arguing that basic amenities like water and electricity remain persistently inadequate in various parts of Nagpur. He positioned himself as accessible to the people, contrasting Gadkari's perceived inaccessibility, particularly when the latter is away in Delhi.

Highlighting the unified support from various political blocs, including the Shiv Sena, the NCP (SCP), the Samajwadi Party, and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, Thakre emphasized the Congress party's cohesive front against fragmentation of votes.

Meanwhile, Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, aims to secure a third term, rallying party workers to strive for a higher vote share in the crucial Maharashtra constituency. 

As the electoral battle intensifies in Nagpur, with elections scheduled for April 19 in the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, all eyes are on the contest between Thakre and Gadkari, shaping up to be a significant political showdown.

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