NCP chief Sharad Pawar Monday said he has decided not to contest the next month’s Lok Sabha election from the Madha constituency in Maharashtra.
The Madha seat is held by his party leader Vijaysingh Mohite Patil. Pawar’s announcement at a press conference came after recent speculation that he may contest from there.
“There was a lot of insistence (from within NCP) that I contest from Madha. However, my candidature hasn’t been declared yet,” Pawar said.
The NCP chief also indicated that Parth, son of his nephew and senior party leader Ajit Pawar, may be fielded from Maval Lok Sabha constituency in Pune district.
“Many people are asking (me) to field Parth from Maval,” the former Union minister said.
Asked if the fear of possible defeat made him rethink of contesting from Madha, Pawar said, “I have successfully faced 14 elections. Do you think a 15th will deter me?”
Interestingly, last month Sharad Pawar had claimed it will he who contests the Lok Sabha elections and not Ajit or Parth.
When asked by reporters at a function in Pune about the allegation that he was promoting a dynasty, Pawar had said, "Parth Pawar, Rohit Pawar and Ajit Pawar would not contest Lok Sabha election.
"But Sharad Pawar is going to contest," he added a few moments later.
The NCP chief's daughter Supriya Sule currently represents the family bastion of Baramati in the Lok Sabha.
Ajit Pawar, his nephew, is an MLA and former Maharashtra deputy chief minister. There was speculation that the NCP may field Parth Pawar, Ajit's son, from Maval Lok Sabha seat.
(With inputs from PTI)
