Legislative Council aspirants surge in NCP

There is a similar increase among Congress aspirants for the legislative council,who say the party needs to have equal representation in the legislative council to take on the NCP that has been growing in strength.

The election to the legislative council is on July 25 and Ankush Kakade,Anna Thorat,Jaideo Gaikwad and Suresh Ghule of the NCP are hoping for the council seat.

All aspirants on Sunday attended a meeting held by party supremo Sharad Pawar.

“The increased strength of the party in the city has encouraged many aspirants to seek entry into the legislative council and a tough competition is on,” said an NCP leader.

The party is in a commanding position in the the city,he said adding it was one of the reasons many are looking at heading the city unit.

“Many want to be at lead the party in the city,” said the leader.

Former mayors Rajlaxmi Bhosale,Mohansingh Rajpal,and Ankush Kakade and former corporators Shreekant Patil and Nilesh Nikam are believed to be looking at heading the city unit of the party.

For the legislative council seat,chief of the Congress women’s state wing Kamal Vyavhare,Congress city unit chief Abhay Chhajed and former legislator Sharad Ranpise are claiming the nomination.

“The Increased strength of party leaders in the council would encourage the cadre to pose a formidable challenge to the NCP,” a Congress leader said.