Anil Deshmukh namesake in Katol fray on NCP(Ajit)’s ‘Clock’ symbol

Nagpur: Political namesakes contesting from a single constituency often confuse voters. This time NCP(Ajit) faction has fielded Anil Deshmukh from Katol who is in no way linked to former state home minister and NCP(SP) leader Anil Deshmukh who has represented the constituency five times — four of which were on the ‘Clock' symbol. The twist, however, lies in their full names — Anil Shankarrao Deshmukh of NCP(Ajit) – Anil Vasantrao Deshmukh of NCP (SP). NCP(Ajit) candidate has been pitted against NCP(SP) leader Deshmukh's son Salil.NCP (Ajit) candidate Deshmukh, hails from Thugaon Nipani village in Narkhed tehsil, declared total assets of Rs 6.06 lakh, with Rs 1.88 lakh in movable assets and Rs 4.18 lakh in inherited immovable assets. Yet, NCP(Ajit)'s Deshmukh is not Mahayuti's official candidate, as BJP's Charansingh Thakur is the party and alliance's official candidate. Political analysts suggest that NCP (Ajit) candidate Deshmukh contesting on ‘Clock' symbol, could potentially impact debutant Salil's vote share who will be contesting on NCP(SP) symbol of ‘a man blowing trumpet'. Previously, the ‘Clock' symbol was associated with undivided NCP and for now, is with the Ajit faction as an interim arrangement made before the general elections. As the matter is sub judice, the Supreme Court directed NCP (Ajit) faction to issue public notice in English, Marathi and Hindi newspapers to this effect.
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