Speculation Rises as Sanjay Kakade Rumored to Join NCP-SP Ahead of Maharashtra Elections
Pune, 10th October 2024: Following the recent entry of Harshvardhan Patil and Samarjeetsinh Ghatge into the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, another prominent BJP leader from Western Maharashtra is reportedly considering joining Sharad Pawar’s party.
Speculation has intensified that former Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kakade is on the verge of aligning with the NCP (SP). The rumours gained momentum after his wife, Usha Kakade, was spotted meeting with NCP (SP) Working President and Baramati MP Supriya Sule in Pune on Wednesday.
Kakade, addressing the matter, said, “I am neither confirming nor denying the possibility of a switch. Any decision I make will be in consultation with Devendra Fadnavis.”
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar conducted interviews on Wednesday with ticket aspirants for eight Assembly constituencies in Pune city and several other seats across the district.
According to Pune City NCP (SP) chief Prashant Jagtap, over 15 candidates attended interviews for the city constituencies of Kothrud, Kasba, Vadgaon Sheri, Parvati, Hadapsar, Khadakwasla, Pune Cantonment, and Shivajinagar. Jagtap himself interviewed for the Hadapsar seat.
Pawar also held discussions with candidates from Pune district constituencies.
Among those interviewed were Surendra Pathare and his father Bapusaheb Pathare for Vadgaon Sheri; Ashwini Kadam and Sachin Taware for Parvati; Kaka Chavan, Sachin Dodke, Balasaheb Dhankawade, and Navnath Parge for Khadakwasla; Shrikant Patil, Uday Mahale, and Nilesh Nikam for Shivajinagar; Swapnil Dudhane and Kishor Kamble for Kothrud; Kanav Chavan, Nitin Rokade, and Naresh Pagadalu for Pune Cantonment; and Ravindra Malwadkar for Kasba.
