Ajit Pawar’s NCP allots forms before declaring official list
“We have begun the process of giving A and B forms. On Monday, 18 candidates were given the forms. More candidates will be given the forms as the names are finalised,” said a senior party leader, adding that the party’s final list is likely to be announced on Wedensday.
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Ajit Pawar-led NCP has been facing a number of defections to rival Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP. (File photo)Even before the announcement of the list of candidates, Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday handed over A and B forms to 18 candidates. The announcement of the list is likely on Wednesday. The development comes a day after the announcement of 99 candidates from the Mahayuti ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“We have begun the process of giving A and B forms. On Monday, 18 candidates were given the forms. More candidates will be given the forms as the names are finalised,” said a senior party leader, adding that the party’s final list is likely to be announced on Wedensday.
Form A and Form B denote that a certain candidate has been approved by a political party and should be allotted the election symbol of that party.
Ajit Pawar-led NCP has been facing a number of defections to rival Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP. Four party MLAs, namely Nilesh Lanke, Dipak Chavan, Rajendra Shingane, Babandada Shinde have already shifted to NCP-SP. Interestingly, Chavan has shifted despite announcing his candidature by Ajit Pawar. In view of mass defections, the party is keeping the names of candidates hidden and ensuring that no candidate would change loyalty at the last moment, giving an edge to the Opposition.
On the other hand, Sharad Pawar – led NCP-SP has chosen to keep cards under the wrap. A meeting of MVA leadership will be held on Tuesday where the alliance is likely to finalise the names. The announcement of names will come after the meeting.
On Monday evening, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Anil Desai held discussions with NCP-SP leadership over seats under dispute. Both sides have staked claims on seats like Karjat in Raigad district, Sawantwadi in Sindhudurg district. “We are sure to find a way out of this and everything will be settled soon,” said a leader from the NCP-SP.
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