Pune: Sandip Thorat from Parandwadi village in Maval, a die-hard supporter of undivided NCP for years, is now facing a test of loyality: whether he should vote for Ajit Pawar-headed faction's nominee or the the independent candidate who has entered the fray with Sharad Pawar's backing. "As if the two unexpected alliances — MVA and Mahayuti — were not enough, local politicians have come up with a ‘Maval pattern' to add to our confusion," the 42-year-old said. What he meant was NCP rebel Bapu Bhegade , who was upset over not being chosen by Mahayuti and later decided to contest as an independent, enjoys support from local BJP politicians, including former state minister Bala Bhegade.
MVA, who has has not fielded a candidate, is obviously rallying behind him, in an ominous sign of trouble for Mahayuti's official nominee and incumbent MLA Sunil Shelke (NCP). "Except Congress, workers of other major parties are divided over their choice of candidates," a reporter, who has extensively covered politics in Maval, said and added that the participation of deputy chief ministers Ajit Pawar or Devendra Fadnavis in the campaign would have given a clear signal to the traditional voters about who they should go with this time. With prominent names away, barring NCP's Rupali Chakankar and Shiv Sena MP Shrirang Barne, Shelke has mostly been campaigning on his own.
"Several people with a similar surname have come together to corner me, but the people of Maval would not like it," Shelke t.