Pune: ‘Maval Pattern’ emerging to corner NCP (AP) MLA Sunil Shelke

Pune: A ‘Maval Pattern’ will be executed in the Maval Assembly segment to defeat Ajit Pawar’s trusted aide and sitting MLA Sunil Shelke.

As a part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) strategy, NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar is not likely to field his party candidate from the segment. Instead, he may support NCP (AP) rebel Bapu Bhegde, said reliable sources, while speaking to a Marathi news channel.

The Maval BJP has already extended its support to Bhegde. Now, the NCP (SP) is ready to make another move. The seat is most likely to be allotted to the party in the MVA. Therefore, Bhegde has sought support from the NCP (SP).

It is said that Pawar has assured him of his party’s backing. Therefore, NCP (SP) workers have already started campaigning for him. Moreover, the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) have also promised their help. Therefore, this ‘Maval Pattern’ planned against Shelke is likely to make the fight interesting.

Former BJP MLA Bala Bhegade said, “Bapu Bhegde will be elected with the blessings of the people from the Maval constituency. A proper experiment has to be conducted at a proper time. Hence, I will not contest the poll this time. We are supporting Bapu Bhegde. It is our stance that the BJP must survive in Maval. We have suffered for the past five years. Our target this time is to get Bapu elected.”

Bapu Bhegde rejects position offered by party

NCP (AP) State Vice-President Bapu Bhegde was appointed as the Vice-President of the Maharashtra Council of Agricultural Education and Research (MCAER). However, he rejected it saying that he did not demand the post and wanted to contest the State poll from Maval. However, the party gave its ticket to the sitting MLA.

This led to the rebellion in the NCP (AP). Now, the opposition parties have planned their strategy.