Prithviraj Chavan’s message to Sharad Pawar: Will contest on Congress symbol only

In a changed situation, Pawar's NCP has reportedly sought to rope in Chavan - who was defeated from erstwhile Karad Lok Sabha seat in 1999 by Shrinivas Patil who had contested from Pawar's newly formed NCP.

Prithviraj Chavan, Satara Lok Sabha, Sharadchandra Pawar, NCP symbol, Congress' symbol, Jayant Patil, nationalist congress party, indiane express news

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan (Express File Photo)

Senior Maharashtra Congress leader and former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has been offered to contest from Satara Lok Sabha on a symbol of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) which he has denied. Chavan has conveyed that he is indeed interested in contesting the Lok Sabha, but only on Congress’ symbol.

On Sunday, NCP (SP) state chief Jayant Patil held a meeting with Chavan at latter’s residence. Sources from both Congress and NCP (SP) have confirmed that Chavan was offered Satara seat but on a symbol of ‘Man Blowing Tura’ which is of Pawar’s Party. “He thanked the NCP for the offer, but has conveyed that he will contest only on Congress’ symbol. He also conveyed that he is ready to contest the election, given he gets the ticket from Congress only,” said a senior Congress leader.

When contacted, Chavan refused to comment on whether he was offered the seat. “I am a Congress worker. I listen to my party’s order. If party orders me to do anything, I will follow for sure,” he said. “I think, every seat in Maharashtra is important and Satara seat is with Sharad Pawar. We will accept any candidate which Sharad Pawar nominates. We are committed to the victory of MVA candidate,” Chavan said.

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He added that he is not concerned about Satara seat alone but about all 48 Lok Sabha seats.

In the seat sharing talks of tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Satara LS seat has gone to Pawar’s NCP. Sitting Satara MP and close friend of Sharad Pawar, Shrinivas Patil, has already announced that he will not contest the elections.

The party had four names to replace Patil, which includes MLC Shashikant Shinde, MLA Balasaheb Patil and Satyajit Patankar, son of former minister Vikramsinh Patankar and Sarang Patil, son of Shrinivas Patil. However none of the names have resonated across the LS constituency and have dominance of particular assembly seat only.

Following the split in the NCP – after rebellion of Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar – the strength of the NCP in Satara has been divided with each side suffering the effects.
In case of ruling side too, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Udayanraje Bhosle is likely to be candidate instead of Ajit Pawar’s NCP.

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In a changed situation, Pawar’s NCP has reportedly sought to rope in Chavan – who was defeated from erstwhile Karad Lok Sabha seat in 1999 by Shrinivas Patil who had contested from Pawar’s newly formed NCP.