Early Life and Education
Rajabhau (Parag) Prakash Waje was born on December 14, 1965, in Deglur, Sinnar Taluka, Nashik District, Maharashtra. He comes from a political family with a rich history of public service. His grandfather, Shankar Balaji Waje, was a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Sinnar (1965-1967), and his grandmother, Mathurabai Waje, was the first female mayor of Sinnar Nagar Parishad in Bombay State in 1953. Rajabhau completed his education with a graduate degree.
Political Career
Rajabhau Waje is a member of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). He has held various significant positions throughout his political career:
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha: Representing the Nashik constituency since June 2024.
Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly: Represented the Sinnar Assembly constituency from 2014 to 2019.
Chairman of Sinnar APMC: Successfully took control of the Sinnar APMC from his rival, Manikrao Kokate, in May 2023.
Position in the Party and Leadership Role
Waje’s role in Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) involves active participation in policy-making and public service initiatives within his constituency. Although he does not currently hold a ministerial position, his influential role within the party structure has bolstered his reputation as a reliable voice for Nashik’s needs.
Major Achievements
Waje has achieved recognition for addressing public grievances, from tackling issues like infrastructure development to improving local amenities. His tenure has seen successful campaigns for improved road connectivity, which has been one of his main focus areas. Notable infrastructure improvements in Nashik, supported by state funding, have been attributed to his advocacy, aligning with his vision for better urban and rural mobility.
Key Political Initiatives and Contributions
MP Rajabhau Waje has called for swift action to launch the Nashik-Kalyan local train route, as its successful trial has shown its potential to alleviate travel hardships for commuters between Nashik and Mumbai. Highlighting the current inadequacy of services from Nashik Road to Kasara and Kalyan, he emphasized the project’s importance during a Parliament budget session. Waje urged the Railway Minister to expedite the Central Railway’s progress on the route, providing a timeframe for implementation to improve connectivity for residents across Nashik, Thane, and North Maharashtra.
MP Rajabhau Waje has called for urgent action to complete the Nashik-Pune High-Speed Rail Project, emphasizing its potential to boost the local economy by enhancing connectivity in agriculture, tourism, and industry. The project, which passes through key areas in his constituency, is expected to link major highways and create an important economic corridor, reducing regional gaps. He has urged the Railway Minister to prioritize its swift completion.
Social Media and Public Engagement
Personal Life
Although Waje maintains a private personal life, his public image reflects dedication to his constituents and active involvement in addressing their concerns.
Legacy and Future Prospects
The MP emphasizes a need to “save democracy,” expressing concerns over political threats to democratic values. Key issues include stabilizing onion, soybean, and tomato prices to support struggling farmers and ensuring fair export policies, noting a bias in favor of Gujarat over Maharashtra. He criticized changes in labor laws, alleging they’ve led to job losses, particularly in rural areas, and the perceived neglect of public sector companies like BSNL. Citing high GST on farming products and inadequate farmer subsidies, he calls for a government focused on people’s welfare, urging voters to support a “Bharat Sarkar, not Modi Sarkar.” (MidDay)
Promises and Future Commitments
MP Rajabhau Waje has pledged to extend the Mumbai local train service to Nashik, with permissions nearly finalized. He’s also focused on enhancing health infrastructure, especially in tribal areas, through central funds and collaboration with health officials. Additionally, he aims to attract industrial investments to boost Nashik’s development. (TOI)
The MP focused on the renovation and modernization of Nashik’s Thermal Power Center, aiming to upgrade three 210 MW units. In discussions with the Project Rescue Sangharsh Committee and Maha Nirmitri’s Managing Director, it was noted that the increasing electricity demand in Mumbai would support these upgrades, which also include facilities in Bhusawal and Chandrapur. The committee urged that revenue from the sale of ash benefit local communities’ infrastructure. Additionally, they advocated for the government to run the Ratan India project in Sinnar, potentially generating employment and supporting regional development.