Ajit Pawar distributes AB forms to 17 NCP candidates including 5 from Pune district

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Monday distributed AB forms to 17 candidates, including five from Pune district.

According to sources, the candidates include Rajesh Vitekar from Pathri in Parbhani district, Sanjay Bansode from Udgir, Chetan Tupe from Hadapsar, Sunil Tingre from Wadgaonsheri, Dilip Walse-Patil from Ambegaon, Daulat Daroda from Shahapur, Rajesh Patil from Chandgad and Dattatraya Bharne from Indapur has received its AB forms. Others include Ashutosh Kale from Kopargaon, Hiraman Kosakar from Igatpuri, vice-president Narhari Zirwal from Dindori, senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal from Yeola, and Bharat Gawit, who recently left the BJP for the NCP from Nandurbar.

Senior party leaders invited these candidates to Mumbai on Monday, where they received forms and offered guidance for the elections.

Form AB indicates that the candidate has been officially endorsed by a political party.

Pradeep Garatkar, president of NCP’s Pune district unit, confirmed the development. “It is true that Pawar distributed AB forms to some of our shortlisted candidates across the state. As far as Pune district is concerned, most of our sitting MLAs will get another chance to contest.”

When asked about the early distribution of AB forms before the official announcement, Garatkar said, “Our first list is likely to be announced on Tuesday. Vacancies where negotiations are still ongoing will be included in the next list.”

A senior NCP leader from Ajit Pawar’s faction, requesting anonymity, said the party is expected to contest around 55 to 60 seats in the upcoming elections.

“We are contesting as part of the Mahayuti alliance and are likely to announce our candidates for 55 to 60 seats across the state,” the leader said.

Kosakar, who recently switched from Congress to NCP, confirmed receipt of the AB form. “We received a call from senior party leaders in the morning to come to Mumbai. Upon arrival we received our AB forms. Now, after consultation with our party workers, we will finalize the date to submit our forms,” Kosakar said.

He is expected to file his nomination on November 3 in the presence of Ajit Pawar.

Ashutosh Kale, MLA from Kopargaon constituency, also confirmed receipt of his AB form. “Yes, we received the AB forms today. I plan to submit my form on Friday, October 25th. As part of the Mahayuti alliance, we will work in coordination with our partners,” Kale said.

Political analyst Abhay Deshpande said this move could be part of Ajit Pawar’s strategy to avoid further speculation over the number of seats the NCP faction secured in the Mahayuti alliance.

“This could help avoid media debates on how many seats Ajit’s faction will contest,” Deshpande said.

The distribution of AB forms is a significant step in election preparations, signaling Ajit Pawar’s endorsement of these candidates. Each beneficiary brings substantial experience and local influence, positioning the party to strengthen its hold on Pune district, a crucial region in Maharashtra.