Pune: NCP on Wednesday renominated its sitting MLA Chetan Tupe from the Hadapsar constituency, putting to rest speculations that the seat might go to Shiv Sena.
With Tupe getting the ticket, it is almost certain that Shinde's Sena will not contest in any constituencies in Pune city because Hadapsar was the only seat the party was looking forward to contest. Discussions are under way that Sena might get the Khadakwasla seat.But sources said its chances were remote because BJP and NCP had staked claim to it.
Tupe, son of former MP Vitthal Tupe, is set to contest his second straight assembly election from Hadapsar after winning in the 2019 polls, defeating BJP's Yogesh Tilekar. Sources said unlike 2019, Tupe would have a tough job this time because he would have to overcome a combined force of NCP (SCP), Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress to secure victory. While NCP (SCP) and Shiv Sena are still undecided on which party would contest the seat, there will be a straight battle between two NCPs if the seat goes to NCP (SCP).
Supporters of Tupe said they were confident of their leader's win in the forthcoming polls. After a split in NCP, for the initial days, Tupe was unsure which camp to join. He finally decided to go with Ajit Pawar.
Tupe's supporters said his decision to remain with Ajit Pawar fetched him the ticket for the second time. A senior leader from the Hadapsar area said the Tupe family had a close association with the Pawars, as Vitthal Tupe was a staunch supporter of Sharad Pawar. He continued to remain with Pawar after the formation of NCP.
Having a mix of urban, semi-urban and rural areas, Hadapsar is among the two assembly constituencies in the city with the highest number of voters. Spread along Solapur Road, the constituency favoured Shiv Sena in the 2009 state polls, BJP in 2014 and NCP in 2019. For the last three consecutive terms, the constituency has elected a fresh face.
In the 2024 general elections, NCP (SCP)'s Amol Kolhe emerged winner from the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency. Hadapsar is one among six assembly constituencies under Shirur.
From the NCP (SCP) camp, former mayor Prashant Jagtap has expressed keen interest in contesting the Hadapsar seat. Shiv Sena (UBT) camp's former MLA Mahadev Babar is also expecting nomination. MNS has nominated its city unit head Sainath Babar as the candidate from Hadapsar.