Pune: Political tensions are rising in Hadapsar Assembly constituency as the ticket allocation process unfolds ahead of the upcoming elections.

The Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) current MLA, Chetan Tupe, is expected to receive the party's nomination once again, maintaining his position as a strong contender.

However, the Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has also put forward a significant candidate—Nana Bhangire, the Pune city chief and a close confidant of Shinde.

The Mahayuti leaders now face the challenge of deciding between the two influential figures, each backed by strong local support.

On Monday (October 20) evening, a large number of Shiv Sainiks and residents gathered to express their support for Nana Bhangire’s candidacy by offering prayers and holding a grand Aarti ceremony dedicated to Lord Ram.

The event, organized by Shiv Sena’s local unit, was a strategic show of strength to emphasize Bhangire's popularity and influence within the constituency.

Following the event, Shiv Sena workers have become more assertive, intensifying their efforts to ensure that their leader secures the ticket. A group of Shiv Sainiks have now embarked on a foot march from Hadapsar to the 'Varsha Bungalow,' Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s official residence in Mumbai.

The march is aimed at urging the Chief Minister to allocate the Hadapsar constituency to the Shiv Sena, with Nana Bhangire as the party’s official candidate.

The decision on whom to nominate from Hadapsar remains a crucial and challenging one for the Mahayuti alliance. With both parties rallying their supporters and showing strength, the final call will have significant implications for the alliance’s performance in the upcoming elections.