Nashik/Pune: Deputy chief minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Monday called a few sitting MLAs of his party, including Chhagan Bhujbal and Narhari Zirwal, to his Mumbai bungalow. Many of them told TOI that Pawar handed them forms A and B, confirming their nominations, even before the party officially released its first list of candidates for the Nov 20 assembly . Usually, the candidates whose names are approved by their party receive these forms following an announcement of their candidatures.
Along with other relevant documents, candidates need to submit these forms to make their nominations official. Bhujbal said, "I got the forms, and I will contest the election from Yeola (in Nashik district)." Similarly, Zirwal, deputy speaker of the assembly, said he was given the forms and he would fight from Dindori in Nashik district and win by a higher margin.
According to NCP sources, among other MLAs present at Pawar's residence were cooperation minister Dilip Walse Patil, sports minister Sanjay Bansode, Wadgaon Sheri MLA Sunil Tingre, whose name cropped up in the Porsche Taycan crash case, cabinet minister Dharmarao Baba Atram, Hadapsar MLA Chetan Tupe, Junnar MLA Atul Benke, Igatpuri legislator Hiraman Khoskar, and Navapur MLA from Nandurbar Bharat Gavit. When contacted, Benke said, "Pawar assured me that my ticket from Junnar was confirmed. I am confident of winning the seat for NCP.
" Even Tupe expressed confidence in getting the ticket. "At the meeting, senior party members e.