Pune: Ajit Pawar, senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), recently revealed an interesting story behind Sunil (Anna) Shelke’s significant victory in the Maval assembly constituency.
During an NCP meeting in Mumbai, Pawar narrated the incident to the applause and congratulations of other party leaders and workers.
The story dates back to the election campaign period when Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally in Pune. Sunil Shelke, the NCP candidate from Maval, was present at the venue but was unable to enter the event due to security restrictions.
Ajit Pawar, aware of Shelke's situation, took up the matter with the Prime Minister, requesting that Shelke be allowed inside. Responding promptly, PM Modi instructed his security to grant Shelke entry. Shelke then took a photo with Modi, which turned out to be a pivotal point in his election campaign.
Shelke, faced with a strong BJP opposition in Maval, capitalized on this photograph with Modi.
The image became a campaign highlight, sending a message to the constituency's voters that, although he stood against the BJP, Shelke shared a cordial connection with the Prime Minister.
This approach resonated well with the voters, helping Shelke secure over 100,000 votes in his favor.
Reflecting on the unusual campaign tactic, Ajit Pawar explained, “Sunil Shelke displayed his photograph with Modi prominently throughout his campaign, which helped gain voters' trust and allowed us to reclaim a previously lost seat with a substantial margin.”
During the meeting, Shelke expressed his gratitude to Pawar, acknowledging that without his intervention, he would not have had the chance to meet Prime Minister Modi. Shelke's win is regarded as a major victory for the NCP, with a vote margin exceeding even Ajit Pawar’s.
