NCP (SP) is waiting for a response from BJP’s Prashant Paricharak in Pandharpur-Mangalwedha seat
Solapur: The NCP (SP) is waiting for its former MLA Prashant Paricharak to cross over from the BJP so that he could be fielded from the Pandharpur-Mangalwedha Assembly constituency. Though there are several party aspirants from the segment, the NCP (SP) is hoping to field BJP leader Paricharak. This means the party is in search of a strong candidate though there is no dearth of aspirants on its side.
However, Paricharak has taken a ‘wait-and-watch’ stand. Therefore, there are discussions in political circles about what could be going on in his mind.
The NCP (SP) aspirants from the Pandharpur-Mangalwedha seat include Bhagirath Bhalke, Bhairavnath Sugar Mill Chairman Anil Sawant, former Pandharpur Municipal Council Deputy President Nagesh Bhosale, former ZP Member Vasantrao Deshmukh, Ratanchand Shah Bank Chairman Rahul Shah, party’s Mangalwedha City Unit President Chandrashekhar Kondubhairi, party’s Taluka Unit President Prathmesh Patil, etc. However, Bhalke, Sawant, Deshmukh and Bhosale are strong contenders.
However, Sharad Pawar is trying to win over Paricharak, who is a heavyweight from the constituency. Though his followers are pressuring him to accept the NCP (SP) ‘offer’, he has preferred to wait and watch.
Paricharak is confident that the BJP would not do injustice to him this time around and would get the party’s candidature. Though Paricharak was absent for Devendra Fadnavis’s rally in Mangalwedha, he made it a point to attend a programme in Akkalkot, where Fadnavis was present.
Apparently, Paricharak still has hopes from the BJP. Therefore, he is not willing to bite the bait offered by the NCP (SP).
Samadhan Autade is the sitting BJP MLA from the constituency. Therefore, Autade has a strong claim to the seat.
It is said that Prashant Paricharak is waiting for the BJP to declare its candidate from the seat. If Autade is fielded again, Paricharak will reveal his cards. Till then, the latter may keep quiet.
