MLA Jagtap's move to contest from Maval foxes Ajit Pawar

PUNE: Deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar is clearly agitated over MLA Laxman Jagtap's decision to contest as an independent from Maval Lok Sabha seat with support from the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP).

Pawar will meet party workers in Pimpri Chinchwad and Maval on Tuesday in Thergaon to take into account their views before a final decision. The NCP is wooing Jagtap so that he contests as the party's nominee from Maval. The seat is currently with the Shiv Sena.

Pimpri Chinchwad city unit party leader Yogesh Behl on Monday spoke to Jagtap over the telephone and told him that Pawar was upset about his decision. Jagtap seemed in no mood to relent. He asked Behl not to use his photograph in the hoardings that will be readied for Tuesday's party meeting with Pawar.

Jagtap, who has allied with the NCP after his election as an independent MLA from Chinchwad assembly constitutency since 2009, was considered the only choice of the party for the Maval seat.

On Sunday, Jagtap declared that he would contest against the Congress-NCP combine, with the support of the PWP. The decision came soon after he met PWP leader Jayant Patil and MLA Meenakshi Patil. PWP and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leaders have sought to forge an alliance.

Although the NCP is trying to woo Jagtap, the party would have to scout for a new candidate if he does not relent. While Pawar would announce the party strategy for Maval on Tuesday, there are a few other aspirants of the NCP as well.

Former mayor Sanjog Waghere had recently met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and said that if Jagtap is not in the race, he would contest. The names of former state minister Madan Bafna, and NCP leader Mauli Dabhade have also cropped up.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has not declared its candidate as there is a strong fight between present MLA Gajanan Babar and Shreerang Barne for the nomination. Political observers said both the NCP and the Shiv Sena are deliberately delaying the declaration.

Aam Admi Party's nominee from Maval, Maruti Bhapkar is unfazed about the political developments. "We have been working on several issues concerning citizens in Pimpri Chinchwad, as well as those in rural areas. People are supporting us as we have always worked with them," Bhapkar said.