Pune: Signs of internal discord are surfacing within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in the Bhosari Assembly constituency as the competition for securing candidacy heats up.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has passed a resolution stating that they will not support the "Tutari" (election symbol of Sharad-Pawar led faction of NCP).
This stance was affirmed by Shiv Sena city president Sachin Bhosale and former opposition leader Sulabha Ubale, both of whom have aligned themselves with the sentiments of the party workers.
The tussle for securing the MVA candidacy in Bhosari has intensified, with Ajit Gawhane from the Sharad Pawar faction vying for the seat.
Simultaneously, Sulabha Ubale and Ravi Landge from the Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena have also shown interest. However, Landge's political activity has been subdued in recent times.
Rumors had circulated that the Sharad Pawar faction had already secured the Bhosari constituency, prompting a meeting of Shiv Sena workers who then passed a resolution to not support the "Tutari" campaign. Ubale noted that party leaders naturally support the workers' stance.
City president Sachin Bhosale clarified that, as part of the MVA, they would back any candidate the party leadership chooses. However, Bhosale has also staked a claim on the Chinchwad, Bhosari, and Pimpri constituencies, expressing his interest in running for the Pimpri Assembly seat and already preparing for the campaign.
Although Bhosale has downplayed the possibility of any significant rift within the MVA, the fast-approaching assembly elections could aggravate internal factional tensions. Such dynamics may harm the chances of the MVA's eventual candidate in Bhosari.
The final decision on the MVA's official candidate for Bhosari rests with the party leadership, and their choice will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape in the constituency.