Pune: Although the Mahayuti alliance is yet to announce candidates for the state assembly poll, Ajit Pawar-led NCP 's MLA Atul Benke from Junnar constituency has already kicked off his election campaign on Friday from the Vighneshwara Temple in Ozar. Two more aspirants from Mahayuti, BJP's Asha Buchke and Shiv Sena's Sharad Sonawane, also started poll preparations, both eyeing a ticket from the alliance in Junnar. Sonawane won the assembly election from Junnar in 2014 on an MNS ticket and later joined the Shiv Sena.
Earlier this week, he also met NCP (SCP) leaders to seek a ticket from MVA. Benke earlier met Sharad Pawar during his visit to Narayangaon, and the meeting between the two leaders sparked speculations that he might join NCP (SCP) before the assembly elections. Earlier on Thursday, while addressing party workers at a meeting in Narayangaon, Benke said, "Even though I remained with NCP under the leadership of Ajit Pawar after the split in the party, I also have the blessings of Sharad Pawar.
We want the NCP to be united, and I will continue my efforts to unite both factions of the party." It may be noted that Congress' Satyasheel Sherkar is likely to join NCP (SCP) and contest as an official candidate of MVA from Junnar..