Atul Ashok Howale 
The first phase of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is taking place on April 19. Among constituencies going to polls on the day is the Nagpur constituency of Vidarbha in Maharashtra. Campaigning, therefore, has reached its peak in Nagpur.
Vikas Thackeray is contesting from the INDIA bloc, while veteran Nitin Gadkari is the face of the BJP in this constituency.
Photo: Atul Ashok Howale
In Nagpur city, BJP posters have been put up in various areas, featuring only Narendra Modi’s photo. Nitin Gadkari is nowhere to be seen in the posters.
Photo: Atul Ashok Howale
Gadkari is contesting the election for the third time from here. He has won in 2014 and 2019 – a fact which makes his absence conspicuous.
Photo: Atul Ashok Howale
Modi’s face is prominent in the posters, along with mentions of Modi’s “guarantee” and various schemes of his government at the centre. Such posters abound Katol Nagpur Road, Agrasen Chowk, Wardha Road, and other busy places in the city.
Photo: Atul Ashok Howale
This is despite the fact that Gadkari is a hugely popular figure. Even among the voters of Nagpur, there is confusion. When talking to some voters, they said:
Photo: Atul Ashok Howale
Photo: Atul Ashok Howale
“We don’t know for sure who is contesting the election from here, Narendra Modi or Nitin Gadkari? The MP of Nagpur has been Gadkari for the last 10 years, but this year Gadkari is nowhere to be seen,” a voter said.