Praniti faces NCP hurdle, brothers to fight in Maan

KOLHAPUR: Serious differences between Congress and NCP have cropped up in Solapur district with NCP fielding Zuber Bagwan against Praniti Shinde of Congress from Solapur city central constituency.


Bagwan has been given the party’s AB form to get the symbol.

Solapur NCP working president Santosh Pawar said Bagwan has been given the ticket due to pressure from party workers and demand from Muslim organizations.

The unexpected move has shocked Congress workers as Praniti’s father, Sushilkumar Shinde, and NCP chief Sharad Pawar are close friends.

Members of both the parties see the NCP decision as a pressure tactic.

Sources in the NCP said Congress has fielded Shivajirao Kalunge from Pandharpur seat even though it was allotted to NCP. Sources said Bagwan may withdraw if Congress candidate from Pandharpur backs out.

Maan constituency is all set to experience contest between two brothers – Jaykumar Gore of BJP and Shekhar Gore, who is contesting as an independent candidate. Shekhar was with Sena till few days back but left the party when the seat was allotted to BJP. He has publicly pledged to defeat his own brother. Retired officer Prabhakar Deshmukh, close aide of Sharad Pawar, has also filed papers as independent from Maan.

Similar confusion prevails in few other constituencies of western Maharashtra. In Solapur constituency, Mahesh Kothe has rebelled against official Sena nominee Dilip Mane. Both are claiming to have party’s AB form. In Malshiras, BJP fielded Ram Satpute.

Similar decision was taken about Phaltan in Satara district where BJP has fielded Deepak Aagwane. Earlier, Phaltan seat was given to RPI Athwale group, which had announced Deepak Nikalje, brother of Chhota Rajan, as its candidate.

In Karad south constituency of Satara district, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, is facing rebel candidate Udaysinh Undalkar-Patil. BJP’s Atul Bhosale has also challenged Chavan in this constituency. Last election had witnessed contest among the same candidates.

Purshottam Jadhav of Sena had rebelled against Madan Bhosale from Wai constituency in Satara district while Manoj Ghorpade of BJP has filed papers as an independent from Karad north constituency. Seat has been allotted to Sena.