Fadnavis to accompany jailed MLA’s wife for nomination

Kalyan: Amidst the protest by Shiv Sena's local functionaries against BJP's decision to give ticket to jailed MLA Ganpat Gaikwad's wife, Sulabha Gaikwad, from Kalyan East Assembly constitutency, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will be present in Kalyan on Thursday for her nomination. During the nomination, the BJP will make a show of strength in support of Sulabha, and the functionaries of the Mahayuti are also likely to join the rally.Kalyan BJP district president Nana Suryavanshi said, "Chief minister Eknath Shinde may also be present during the filing of nomination by Sulabha Gaikwad. Apart from Fadnavis and Shinde, Anand Paranjape and Pramod Hindurao of NCP and other leaders of Mahayuti will be present."Local Shiv Sena functionaries are strongly opposing Sulabha's candidature from Kalyan East seat in the Mahayuti, especially Shiv Sena Kalyan city president Mahesh Gaikwad. Ganpat had in Feb allegedly fired on Gaikwad inside the Hill Line police station over a land-related dispute. The Shiv Sena's local functionaries even held a meeting against Sulabha and are unanimously planning to field a candidate against her.According to political sources, by joining Sulabha Gaikwad's nomination, Fadnavis is trying to give a strong message to his opponents that even though Ganpat is in jail, the BJP's top leaders are with her. Amid all this, on Wednesday, ex-Shiv Sena corporator Vishal Pawshe, also announced that he will contest as an independent against Sulabha since her husband, during his three terms as MLA, did no development work in the city.
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