Congress to contest Palghar, Praful Patel rules himself out from Bhandara-Gondia

Mumbai: The Congress on Monday announced that it will be contesting the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, while the party leader and former MP Nana Patole may be given a chance from Bhandara-Gondia. This Lok Sabha seat was with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as per the seat-sharing formula between both parties.

Maharashtra unit chief of the Congress Ashok Chavan said, “We will be contesting the Palghar seat and the decision on the candidate will be taken within a week. This seat is important for the party, and we will ensure that we win.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Patole, former BJP MP from Bhandara-Gondia who is now with the Congress, said on Monday said that a decision on fielding him will be taken by top leadership. Sources within the Congress told The Hindu their options were limited. “Mr. Patole or NCP’s Praful Patel are the only options available with us for this by-poll. Traditionally the seat has been with the NCP and in case of exchange, top leaders of both the parties will have to reach to an agreement,” said a Congress leader.

In an interview to a news channel, Mr. Patel said he would contest the 2019 general election from Bhandara-Gondia. “The decision on who will contest the bypoll will be taken in two-three days,” he said, adding there are no differences between him and Mr. Patole.

When asked, Mr. Chavan said that in case Mr. Patole wants to contest the poll, the Congress president will take a final call.

The BJP too is yet to announce it’s candidate though party sources said Tribal Affairs Minister Vishnu Savara could be fielded. MLA Hitendra Thakur-led Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) which had won the seat in 2009 and was runner-up in 2014 too has chosen to keep its cards close to its chest. On Sunday, local leaders of Shiv Sena had held a meeting with party president Uddhav Thackeray demanding that the party should give a candidate as well. Mr Thackeray is to announce the decision this week.