Bharatiya Janata Party`s bid to win the Amravati Lok Sabha constituency, which once was a Congress citadel that went to the undivided Shiv Sena in the 1990s, has hit a snag. NDA ally, MLA Bacchu Kadu-led Prahar Janashakti Paksha has fielded its candidate, making it a three-way fight between sitting MP Navneet Rana (BJP), Balwant Wankhede (Congress) and Dinesh Boob (Prahar).

Boob`s candidature was announced by the Prahar office-bearers on Friday in a hurried press conference. Navneet Rana was elected as an independent in 2019 but chose to support the BJP. Five years later, the BJP, desperate to have a winning candidate here, found one in Rana. Despite her caste certificate being challenged in the court, the ruling party inducted her into its fold.  Prahar president Kadu had opposed Rana`s nomination. The local BJP and ally NCP-Ajit Pawar leaders too were miffed by the party decision. The Shinde Sena leader Abhijit Adsul, former MLA, and his former Amravati MP father, Anandrao Adsul, have openly expressed their displeasure. Abhijit has threatened to contest the election as an independent.