Family first: In Pimpri Chinchwad, Mahayuti leaders lobby hard to get nominations for sons

Siddharth said that even if he did not get an NCP nomination, he would continue to stay loyal to Ajit Pawar. “My father and I are Ajit Pawar loyalists. Whether I get a ticket or not, we will remain loyal to Ajit dada,” he added.

Speaking to reporters, Anna Bansode underplayed the allegations of dynastic politics. “Some people might raise the bogey of dynastic politics. But my son has been working for the Pimpri constituency for years. Whenever I am attending sessions at the state legislature, he interacts with people and tries to resolve their problems,” he said.

Khapre’s son, Jaydeep, has sought a ticket from Ward No. 19, Ramkrishna More auditorium. “Three years ago, Jaydeep headed the BJP sports wing. He is now the chief of the Pradhikaran-Chinchwad Mandal. In the past, he was the BJP Yuva Morcha president,” she said.

Jaydeep has also been interviewed by the party leadership. “There are several claimants from the party. We are hopeful of getting the nomination, but this is politics. The party will decide on merit,” said Khapre, who has been a two-time PCMC corporator.

Khapre said those who work for the party should be given preference. “Whoever it might be, that person should have worked for the party. Some people do not work for the party, and yet they demand party nomination,” she said.

Barne said his son, Vishwajeet Kadam, who has sought a ticket from Thergaon, has proven his capabilities. “He served as Shiv Sena youth leader. He proved himself by handling the party’s affairs in western Maharashtra. We will ensure that no injustice is done to any Shiv Sainik,” he added.

The Pimpri Chinchwad civic polls will be held on January 15.

Apart from these leaders, former mayor Mangala Kadam’s son, Kushgra, has joined the BJP and is likely to be fielded from the Sambhajinagar area. Former mayor Sanjog Waghere, who joined the BJP last week, is also trying to secure a nomination for his son and wife. NCP leader Vilas Lande’s son, Vikrant, a former corporator, is trying to bag a nomination from the NCP. BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe’s mother, Anuradha, a former corporator, is counting on a nomination from the Sambhajinagar area.