Poll Update 8212; Pune

Anna resolves to work for saffron allianceCity unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday heaved a sigh of relief when party veteran A...

Anna resolves to work for saffron alliance
City unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday heaved a sigh of relief when party veteran Anna Joshi, swallowing the humiliation, resolved to work for the alliance candidates in Pune city and make Atal Behari Vajpayee prime minister.

In a press statement issued, Anna, set speculation to rest that he was joining Sharad Pawar8217;s Nationalist Congress Party NCP. Vehemently refuting the reports about his possible revolt against the party candidate or joining any other party, Anna has stated that he would continue work for Puneites, BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh RSS, even if he was not holding any post.

Anna, however, said he underwent humiliating pains, which were probably more distressing than death because of the manner in which he was denied nomination for no fault of his. Stating that few people want him to revolt against the party, he asserted that he would never strike at roots of the organisation, which he had nourished in his life.

Anna has made it clear that he would never revolt against the party or would think of joining any other party even if he was not given ticket. Anna said a that he talked to several state and national leaders of the party and had conveyed his sentiments. Anna thanked all those who stood behind him during the critical period and hoped that party leaders would not act with revenge with his supporters.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Pradeep Rawat has welcomed Anna8217;s decision and has appealed the workers to work unitedly to make Vajpayee prime minister. In a press statement, Rawat has said Anna8217;s decision had pleased thousands of workers and has expressed confidence that party would win the election because of Anna8217;s contribution to the party and long experience.

Four-corner contest for Haveli Assembly seat
A four-corner contest is likely for the Haveli Assembly seat as apart from the candidates of three main parties 8212; Nationalist Congress Party NCP, the Shiv Sena and the Congress, a Congress rebel has also entered the fray.

The NCP ended all speculations about the candidature among its 18 aspirants by nominating former Pimpri-Chinchwad mayor Azam Pansare. Pansare filed his nomination papers today. Congress candidate Hanumant Gawde also filed his nomination papers, but the jolt for him came from Babasaheb Tapkir, one of the Congress aspirants, who also followed suit.

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Ramkrishna More, Congress candidate for the prestigious Baramati Lok Sabha seat, also filed his nomination papers today.

However, the Congress finally decided to allot the Baramati Assembly seat to the Republican Party of India RPI. The main contest for the seat now will be between NCP8217;s Ajit Pawar and an independent Chandrakant Tawre. Most opposition parties are likely to support Tawre in a bid to give Pawar a tough time in the elections.