Ajit Pawar distributes candidate forms in Maharashtra ahead of elections
- The NCP, under Ajit Pawar, distributed AB forms to 17 candidates for upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections.
- Hiraman Khoskar, an expelled Congress MLA, criticized his former party for their lack of response and joined NCP.
- The proactive step taken by NCP reflects the heightened competition among political entities as elections approach.
In October 2024, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in India, led by Ajit Pawar, began the process of finalizing candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections. Unconventionally, Pawar dispensed AB forms necessary for filing nomination papers to 17 candidates at his residence, Devgiri Bungalow, ahead of the official announcement of the party's candidate list. Among the recipients was Hiraman Khoskar, an MLA from the Igatpuri constituency, who expressed frustration with the Congress party for lack of communication and support. Khoskar had been expelled from Congress due to prior voting misconduct, and his decision to join the NCP was motivated by a pressing desire for a reliable alliance. Bharat Gavit, another candidate who received an AB form, plans to contest from the Navapur constituency, exuding confidence in his electoral prospects. NCP spokesperson Anand Paranjpe mentioned that while the candidate list is ready, its release is pending clearance for a troublesome constituency, delaying the party's formal announcement. The NCP’s proactive measures signify a strategic shift amid the electoral landscape following the BJP's recent candidate list announcement, indicating a competitive atmosphere as groups prepare for the elections. The party's actions illustrate an urgency in consolidating support as candidates rally for their positions, reflecting the tense political climate surrounding the upcoming elections in Maharashtra.