Puja Khedkar’s Father's Assembly Nomination Sparks Debate with 'Divorced' Status Revelation

Mumbai: As Maharashtra prepares for the upcoming assembly elections, Dilip Khedkar, father of former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, has made headlines with his candidacy as an Independent from the Ahmednagar South constituency. However, his recent poll affidavit, which lists his marital status as “divorced,” has raised eyebrows, particularly as it contradicts the information he provided during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he claimed to be married.In his latest affidavit, Khedkar's assertion of being ‘divorced’ contrasts sharply with his previous declaration of being married to Manorama Khedkar. In his previous document, he had described her as his wife and provided details of their jointly owned properties, specifying their household as an “undivided Hindu family.” His marital status in the nomination paper has sparked another row and ignited public debate as he embarks on this new political endeavor.Conflicting Marital Status DeclarationsIn the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he identified Manorama Khedkar as his wife and disclosed their shared assets, which included properties valued at approximately Rs 40 crore. The earlier affidavit explicitly stated that they were living as an undivided Hindu family, creating a stark contrast to his current assertion of being divorced.Public scrutiny intensified due to these conflicting marital status declarations. Dilip Khedkar's campaign is now overshadowed by questions about his integrity and the reasons behind the change in his marital status. Despite his previous candidacy under the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi party, where he was unable to secure a win, Khedkar is determined to make a mark in the Assembly elections.Divorce Finalized in 2010As per reports, documents accessed by the media indicated that Dilip and Manorama Khedkar filed for divorce by mutual consent at Pune's family court in 2009, with their separation officially finalised on June 25, 2010. However, despite their divorce, reports suggest that the couple continued to live together in a bungalow in Pune’s Baner area, owned by Manorama Khedkar.This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the public narrative surrounding Khedkar. The fact that he has previously declared their relationship as intact raises questions about transparency in his political aspirations.Legal Troubles for Dilip KhedkarIn addition to the controversies regarding his marital status, Dilip Khedkar is facing legal challenges. In August, police registered a case against him in Pune, accusing him of threatening and obstructing a public servant during the discharge of their duties. This incident further complicates his political landscape as he attempts to gain public trust ahead of the elections.Father of Controversial IAS Probationer Puja KhedkarThe Khedkar family has been under scrutiny not only due to Dilip's political ambitions but also because of his daughter, Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar. She faced suspension from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) for allegedly misrepresenting information in her UPSC Civil Services Examination application in 2022 to qualify for reservation benefits. Both Puja and her family have denied the allegations, but the incident has added a major burden to their public profile.In September, Puja Khedkar was discharged from the IAS under Rule 12 of the IAS (Probation) Rules, 1954, following the allegations. The UPSC found her guilty of violating examination rules, leading to her disqualification from future examinations and selections. Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with the counting for all 288 assembly constituencies to be held on November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections in Maharashtra, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress won 44 seats.

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Puja Khedkar’s Father's Assembly Nomination Sparks Debate with 'Divorced' Status Revelation

In his latest affidavit, Khedkar's assertion of being ‘divorced’ contrasts sharply with his previous declaration of being married to Manorama Khedkar.

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