Any volunteer for Baramati, asks Cong

Conceding this, party sources said that Suresh Kalmadi, who fell out with Pawar during the last elections and is now the Congress observer for Baramati, has been asked to find takers even for the six Assembly seats from Baramati.

Kalmadi, on his part, has tried to underplay the development, saying that the party had at least three options in Baramati and that the ticket seekers had been asked not to submit their applications. He maintained the Congress would field a strong candidate against Pawar.

Among the names doing the rounds for the Congress LS ticket are those of Ramkrishna More and Pawar-baiter Sambhajirao Kakade. More remained with the party after Pawar was expelled while Kakade of Janata Dal crossed over once Pawar made his exit.

The fact that no Congressman has applied for even the Baramati Assembly seat has created consternation in the Congress camp. Many Congressmen see the Assembly seat as well a tough nut to crack since Ajit Pawar, the NCP chief’s nephew, has romped home twice.

Congress leaders admit that this reluctance to take a shot from Baramati has sent out wrong signals. “The party should have managed to get some applications to avoid public embarrassment,” remarked a peeved Congressman.

If finding a suitable man to challenge Pawar is becoming a difficult task, the Congress has more problems when it comes to the Assembly seats. Post-Pawar expulsion, most Congressmen in Baramati switched loyalty to the NCP.

From the Shirur assembly segment, adjoining Baramati, the Congress has received only one application – that of Baburao Pacharne who deserted the Shiv Sena to join the Congress only last week. The only Assembly segment where Congress enthusiasm is palpable is in Haveli, an area where Ramkrishna More enjoys some influence. There are more than 10 Congress takers for the Haveli ticket.

In the three remaining Assembly segments of Indapur, Purandhar and Daund — all form part of the Baramati LS constituency — it will again be difficult for the Congress because only the second rung leaders have steppedforward for the party tickets. A scenario which, concede some of Pawar’s worst critics, has even made them uncomfortable.