Mumbai: NCP is set to face a rebellion in Tasgaon Assembly by-election as the party has decided to field widow of late NCP leader RR Patil, while his brother, who is a party member, is also an aspirant for the seat.
The NCP has decided to give candidature to Suman Patil, widow of the late party leader, while his brother Suresh Patil has also staked claim for it.
Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar has gone to Sangli to resolve the issue. He has made an emotional appeal to all the political parties not to field candidates for the by-election as a mark of respect for the former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
"NCP has decided to field Suman Patil to contest the by-election as a party candidate and other parties should support her to get her elected unopposed as a tribute to RR Patil," Pawar told reporters here today.
Suresh said he was disappointed with the party's decision, as he also wants to be in the fray.
Pawar decided to meet R R Patil's family members to convince Suresh to not contest the election. "I am sure there will be no rebellion and we will file Suman's nomination on Monday," Pawar said before leaving for Tasgaon.
Meanwhile, BJP workers from Sangli met the party state president Raosaheb Danve at the party office in Vidhan Bhavan today.
BJP sources said that the leaders tried to convince Danve to field a candidate against Suman. However, a final decision is yet to be made.
"We respect the mood of our party workers. But a final decision will only be taken in the core-committee meeting of the party, that will be held on Monday," Danve said.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, while speaking to reporters here said, he would decide later on Ajit Pawar's request to all parties to not to contest the by-election.
"There can never be a one-way request. We will decide later on Ajit Pawar's request. But he should have requested all parties to not put up a candidate for the by-election of Bandra constituency as well after (Sena MLA) Bala Sawant's demise," he said.
