Pune Lok Sabha By-Election Sparks Dispute Between Congress and NCP
The announcement of the Pune Lok Sabha by-election is still pending, but it has already ignited a heated dispute between the Congress and NCP. Both parties have staked their claims on the seat, leading to clashes and tensions before the official election declaration.
Following the unfortunate passing of BJP MP Girish Bapat a few months ago, the Pune Lok Sabha seat has become vacant. The election to fill this seat is scheduled to take place within the next six months. Consequently, a power struggle has emerged within the Mahavikas Aghadi alliance for this coveted position. Political leaders have been making statements and aspiring candidates have started campaigning with banners.
The Congress party is preparing Kasbya MLA Ravindra Dhangekar as its candidate, while NCP, a constituent party of the Mahavikas Aghadi alliance, has also begun its preparations. On Saturday, a clash erupted between NCP leader Ajit Pawar and Congress leader Mohan Joshi, drawing further attention to the dispute. Sanjay Raut has also waded into the controversy.
The question of who will be the Mahavikas Aghadi candidate for the Pune Lok Sabha by-election is currently the subject of intense speculation in political circles. In response to these discussions, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Ajit Pawar, expressed his views. He stated that the Pune by-election is likely to take place, and the party with more power will be granted the ticket. However, he acknowledged that power is not solely determined by strength but also by the number of votes received in the previous election. Ajit Pawar extended his best wishes to the friendly party.
In response, Congress leader Mohan Joshi asserted that Congress holds more power in the Pune Lok Sabha constituency. He emphasized that Pune Lok Sabha constituency has traditionally been a stronghold for Congress, and the party will contest the by-election there. Mohan Joshi pointed out that Congress candidates lost by only a few thousand votes in four out of the six Vidhan Sabha constituencies within Pune Lok Sabha Constituency, which he interpreted as a testament to the party’s supremacy.
Sanjay Raut also joined the fray between the Congress and NCP. He stated that the determination of which party holds more power will be decided through discussions among all three parties. Raut confirmed that a meeting will be held to decide the candidate for the Lok Sabha seat.
Several names are currently being discussed within the BJP, including Girish Bapat’s daughter-in-law Swarda Bapat, former mayor Muralidhar Mohol, former MLA Medha Kulkarni, Jagdish Mulik, and former MP Sanjay Kakade. Among these candidates, Sanjay Kakade, Medha Kulkarni, and Muralidhar Mohol possess extensive political experience, while Swarda Bapat is relatively new to politics. Jagdish Mulik currently serves as the Pune City President of the BJP and has displayed aspirations of becoming the future MP for Pune city, which has attracted criticism. The focus now lies on which candidate the BJP will choose to represent them in the by-election.
