Pune: Political Twist in Shirur as Vilas Lande Opposes Shiv Sena’s Nominee, Advocates for BJP’s Mahesh Landge
Shirur, 7th March 2024: Former NCP MLA Vilas Lande has added a twist to the political discourse by expressing reservations about the potential candidacy of former Shiv Sena MP Shivajirao Adharao Patil for the NCP. Lande indirectly opposed Adharao Patil by advocating for the nomination of BJP’s Bhosari MLA, Mahesh Landge, instead of an external candidate. This move has placed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a dilemma. Political analysts speculate that Lande’s demand is strategically aligned with the possibility of Mahesh Landge moving to the Lok Sabha, thereby clearing a path for Vilas Lande to re-enter the state assembly.
The Shirur Lok Sabha Constituency, which includes Bhosari Assembly Constituency, holds significance in this context. Vilas Lande contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2009 and prepared for a similar endeavour in 2019. However, NCP candidate Dr Amol Kolhe, a former Shiv Sena member, secured the opportunity in 2019. Notably, Lande and Bhosari MLA Mahesh Landge share a good relationship. Landge, initially a corporator filling Lande’s vacant seat when he became an MLA in 2004, eventually experienced a political fallout over posts in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Landge defeated Lande twice, first as an independent in 2014 and later as a BJP candidate in 2019. Mahesh Landge enjoys considerable popularity in the constituency, making his re-election for the third time seemingly unproblematic. Vilas Lande, in political exile for the past decade, recognizes that his chances are contingent upon Mahesh Landge’s potential shift to the Lok Sabha.
MLA Landge harbours a strong aspiration to be elected to the Lok Sabha and make a move to Delhi. Despite his continuous preparations since 2019, he hasn’t found an opportunity within the alliance. In response, Lande has expressed a willingness to support BJP MLA Landge’s nomination if the NCP does not nominate him for the Lok Sabha. He declared his readiness to work alongside Landge, emphasizing that their collaboration in Bhosari would pose no challenges, expressing confidence in winning a one-sided election. By opposing the candidature of Adharao Patil and making such a demand, Lande has also hinted at reconciling with Landge, both being members of the same party in Mahayuti.
Lande’s stance has given indications that the longstanding political dispute with Landge might be coming to an end. The resolution of the candidature for Shirur Lok Sabha Constituency within Mahayuti and the success of Lande’s bid will become clearer in the coming days. In response to these developments, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has claimed that he would not mind if Vilas Lande nominates anyone, thus addressing the demand for MLA Mahesh Landge as a candidate. The political landscape in the city is abuzz with these recent developments.
