Pune: The political landscape in Maharashtra’s Shirur Assembly constituency is heating up following the release of the NCP candidate list, which confirmed that Ajit Pawar would contest from Baramati rather than Shirur, as previously speculated.
This development has disappointed local BJP leaders who had expected Shirur to be assigned to the BJP.
Amid these tensions, BJP leader Pradeep Kand has announced that he will reveal his decision on running for the Shirur seat in an independent or friendly capacity at a supporters' meeting on Sunday.
According to Kand, BJP workers feel the disappointment of losing their traditional hold on Shirur-Haveli Assembly. Out of respect for Ajit Pawar’s anticipated candidacy, BJP workers had initially agreed to support him as part of the alliance.
However, with Pawar confirmed to contest from Baramati, BJP leaders had hoped Shirur would be handed over to them. As this did not happen, Kand stated he is facing pressure from BJP members to contest independently.
He has communicated this sentiment to senior BJP officials and will decide on his course of action in a meeting with supporters on Sunday.
The Shirur Assembly seat, historically held by the BJP, was won by NCP’s Ashok Pawar, who defeated the late BJP MLA Baburao Pacharne when NCP was unified.
Following Pacharne's passing, the BJP struggled to put forth a strong candidate in the constituency. The NCP split, with Ashok Pawar choosing Sharad Pawar's faction, leaving Ajit Pawar to field Mauli Katke against Ashok Pawar in the upcoming election.
This decision has fueled dissatisfaction among BJP’s local leaders, who are now grappling with how to proceed in a constituency that has become a flashpoint in the upcoming elections.
