Date set,poll fever takes over

Many of them,however,said there was little time before the polls to prove their strength. The model code also means office-bearers of political parties would not be able to use their official vehicles.

All major political parties have,however,completed the initial interview of ticket aspirants in the city. While allies Shiv Sena and BJP,which are likely to contest the same number of seats as in 2004,are gearing up for the campaign there is confusion in the Congress and NCP camps as,till Monday evening,a formal pre-poll alliance had not been announced.

In the BJP-Sena camp,there seems to be some confusion though,particularly among city BJP leaders,on distribution of Assembly segments between the two parties as it is the first Assembly polls after delimitation. “We are geared up for the polls,but are unaware of the seats to be contested by our party,” BJP leader Gopal Chintal,who is seeking the party ticket from Parvati Assembly segment,said. The election campaign will gain momentum only after the distribution of segments is clear,he said.

The Sena,on the other hand,seems surer on this count and has asked its probables to immediately hit the campaign button. “We are sure about the segments our party will contest. Campaigning has begun. Party workers are ready for the battle,irrespective of who gets the ticket,” a Sena leader said.

In the Congress and NCP camps,uncertainty over the pre-poll alliance looms large. “There has been no announcement of an alliance so far. It is only after the formation of an alliance that seat sharing talks would be held and candidates finalised,” city NCP executive president Anil Bhosale said.

Bhosale has sought an NCP ticket to contest from Shivajinagar. He,however,added that the party was prepared to contest all the Assembly segments in the city in case no alliance materialises.

Congress leader Ulhas Bagul said the party has many aspirants this time. “We are waiting for a decision on the alliance and announcement of candidates,” he said. Senior leaders from all political parties said the announcement of candidates will take some time as they would carefully weigh things to avoid any drifting of disgruntled leaders to rival camps. “There are many aspirants for each seat which means there is a likelihood of those not getting the ticket turning into rebels,” an NCP leader said,adding that the party is on guard to prevent any poaching by other parties.

MNS leader Ravindra Dhangekar said his party has been preparing for the polls since the conclusion of the Lok Sabha polls. “We were prepared for any date for the polls,” he said.