Pune: With the Lok Sabha elections now three months behind, political parties have begun gearing up for the upcoming Assembly elections. In Pune, the Wadgaon Sheri Assembly constituency has become a focal point, as flex boards supporting the candidacy of Sushma Andhare, a prominent leader of the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT faction), have appeared in the Yerawada area.

The boards praise Andhare as a “highly educated, fearless, strong personality” and endorse her as the best choice for the comprehensive development of the constituency.

The display of these flex boards has fueled speculation that Andhare may contest the next Assembly election from Wadgaon Sheri.

Currently residing in the Dhanori area of the same constituency, Andhare is seen as a potential candidate. Within the political landscape of Pune, Shiv Sainiks are hopeful that the Thackeray faction will secure the Hadapsar, Wadgaon Sheri, and Kothrud constituencies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s seat-sharing agreement. It remains to be seen whether Mahavikas Aghadi will prioritize women candidates in these constituencies.

Anand Goyal, deputy city chief of the Thackeray faction in Pune, commented on the situation, highlighting the strong presence of Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s party in Pune city and district.

He stated that there is widespread support among party officials and activists for Sushma Andhare to be nominated to contest from Wadgaon Sheri.

Over the past eighteen months, Andhare has been vocal on various local issues, including the Sassoon Hospital drug case and the Kalyani Nagar accident. Party members believe that her candidacy would resonate with voters, and they are confident that she would secure a decisive victory.