Sushilkumar Shinde to contest from Solapur

SOLAPUR, June 8: Ending the week-long speculation over his candidature, AICC general secretary Sushilumar Shinde has indicated his willingness to contest the Lok Sabha election from Solapur on the Congress ticket.

The doubts about Shinde, a member of the 12th Lok Sabha, contesting once again from Solapur seat were raised when some Congress leaders from Solapur district joined the Nationalist Congress Party NCP, floated by Sharad Pawar.Vishnupant Kothe, chief of Shinde8217;s public relations office, has stressed that Shinde will contest the Lok Sabha polls notwithstanding any challenges.

Shinde, who is arriving here on June 9, is slated to address a Congress rally. Former MP Dharmanna Sadul is likely to be the NCP candidate and former MP Lingraj Walyal the BJP candidate.