Lone Rajya Sabha seat likely bone of contention within Ajit Pawar-led NCP

“Candidature to Sameer Bhujbal could tilt favour towards the party ahead of LS polls, especially at a time when Chhagan Bhujbal has been aggressively raising the issue of OBCs across the state,” said a party functionary closely associated with the developments. Sameer is also chief of Ajit Pawar-led NCP’s Mumbai unit.

With Rajya Sabha elections slated for February 27, six seats from Maharashtra will be up for election. Going by the altered political situation in the state and current strength of MLAs with each party, Shinde-led Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP are set to send an MP each to the Parliament’s Upper House.

Sources said that Bhujbal, who has been aggressively campaigning against the draft notification of amended rules to accord Kunbi (OBC) status to Marathas, is keen on sending Sameer to Delhi. “Apart from his contacts across all parties, the issue of national caste-census and of increasing the 50 per cent reservation cap can be effectively raised by him from Maharashtra,” the functionary said. When contacted, Chhagan Bhujbal refused to comment.

However, Ajit Pawar’s son Parth and Tatkare are two other claimants for the lone seat as of now within the party. When asked about going to Rajya Sabha, Tatkare had said last week that he was ready to undertake any responsibility given to him by the party.