Pimpri: NCP (AP) former corporators warn of crossing over to opposition alliance if Chinchwad seat is not given to party
Pimpri: Former corporators from Chinchwad have warned NCP (AP) President and DyCM Ajit Pawar that they would join the party which gives them the ticket for the State Assembly election from Chinchwad, if the seat is not allotted to the NCP (AP) in the seat-sharing of the Maha Yuti, the ruling alliance.
They said that they would hand over a copy of the resolution to Pawar in a couple of days. This is likely to complicate talks within the Maha Yuti over the seat.
A resolution in this regard was passed in a meeting on Friday (October 4) in Tathawade. Former Leader of Opposition in PCMC Nana Kate, Vinod Nadhe, Moreshwar Bhondve, Mayur Kalate, Atul Shitole, Prashant Shitole, Santosh Kokane, Kailas Barne and Usha Kale were present.
The Chinchwad seat is most likely to be retained by the BJP as it has its sitting MLA here. This has made aspirants from the NCP (AP) restless. Four former corporators recently threatened to boycott the election campaign of the BJP candidate if the seat is not given to the NCP (AP).
Even after their warning, their party did not take any action. Therefore, the former corporators met NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar. On Friday, they held a meeting in Tathawade. Nana Kate is bent on contesting the seat and attended the meeting, along with most of the corporators.
The former corporators and office-bearers claimed that they followed the alliance ethical code and campaigned for the Maha Yuti candidate during the Lok Sabha poll. However, Shiv Sena MP Shrirang Barne alleged that they did not work for him. The same allegation could be repeated in the State assembly polls. They angrily asked if they would have to work for BJP candidates during the civic elections. They resolved to join the MVA if the Chinchwad seat is not allotted to the party.
Former corporator Mayur Kalate said, “We are all united and will ask Ajit Pawar to take the Chinchwad seat for the party. Not a single NCP (AP) worker will work for the BJP. We will strongly support the candidate chosen from among us.”
