Prithviraj Chavan 1st top Maharashtra Congress neta ready for Lok Sabha poll

MUMBAI: In a morale-booster for Maharashtra Congress at a time when most of its senior leaders have stayed away from Lok Sabha poll fray, Prithviraj Chavan has said he is prepared to contest the election. The ex-chief minister is likely to contest against BJP's Udayan Raje Bhosale in Satara, which is currently represented by Shriniwas Patil of NCP (SP).

"There was a discussion if I can contest from Satara. I have given my consent provided I am granted permission to contest as a Congress candidate and our election symbol will be hand," Chavan told TOI.

As per MVA's seat sharing formula, Satara has been allotted to Sharad Pawar-led NCP. During Pawar's visit to Satara, Patil informed him that due to ill health it would not be possible for him to contest the polls, following which the party launched a search for a candidate.

Ex-cooperation minister Balasaheb Patil and Mathadi leader Shashikant Shinde were the front runners. NCP (SP) did not consider them as there is strong opposition to Balasaheb Patil locally, while Shinde is facing a criminal case.

On Sunday, state NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil had a meeting with Chavan to discuss the political situation, particularly candidature for Satara and disputed seats - Bhiwandi and Mumbai South Central. It is expected that the row over these two seats will be resolved in a day or two following intervention of the AICC. Chavan had represented Karad constituency, which is now Satara, from 1991 to 1999; earlier, it was represented by his mother PremlaKaki. Bhosale was elected in 2009 and 2014 as a nominee of NCP. Subsequently, he resigned and contested as a BJP nominee in 2019. Bhosale polled nearly 5.5 lakh votes against about 6.4 lakh by Patil. Bhosale is likely to be BJP's candidate in Satara now.

If Chavan contests the election, he will be the first senior Congress leader to enter the fray. Earlier, it was expected that MPCC president Nana Patole will contest from Bhandara-Gondiya and leader of opposition Vijay Wadettiwar from Chandrapur, but both declined. Patole claimed he was required to campaign across the state, while Wadettiwar had demanded the seat for his daughter. AICC has nominated Pratibha Dhanorkar, widow of the lone Congress MP from Maharashtra, Suresh Dhanorkar, from Chandrapur.