MLC polls: 11 candidates set to get elected, unopposed

All the 11 candidates who have filed nominations for the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls are set to get elected unopposed. Saturday was the last day of filing nominations for the eleven seats.

Elections for the same are scheduled for July 25.

The election was necessary as the term of 11 members of the council, elected by members of the Legislative Assembly, ends on July 27.

The Congress has decided to nominate only three members — former legislators Sanjay Dutt and Sharad Ranpise, a Dalit leader from Pune, and party state president Manikrao Thakre — instead of four. Parties nominate as per their strength to avoid a contest.

Outgoing Congress MLC Ulhas Pawar, a supporter of former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, failed to get a nomination.  If he, too, had been nominated, it would have then entailed a contest since the Congress has the numbers to get three elected comfortably, but will need the support of independents for a fourth candidate.
The benefit of Pawar not being nominated will be garnered by Peasants and Workers’ Party MLC Jayant Patil, who will now re-enter the council for another term.

The NCP has nominated Jaidev Gaikwad, Narendra Patil and Amar Singh Pandit, while the Shiv Sena nominees are Vinayak Raut and Anil Parab.

The BJP will be sending former minister Vijay alias Bhai Girkar and former Mumbai corporator Ashish Shelar to the council. In doing so, Pasha Patel, a well-known farmer leader will lose his place in the council.