Sena candidate escapes unhurt in firing in Pune; driver injured

Violence marred the last day of campaigning for the Maharashtra assembly polls here today when some unknown persons fired at a Shiv Sena candidate who escaped unhurt even as his driver suffered bullet injuries.

Ajay Bhosale, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance candidate from Vadgaon-Sheri constituency, was heading for a rally venue after a visit to a temple in plush Koregaon Park area when some motorcycle-borne assailants fired shots at his vehicle.

Bhosale, who filed a complaint with Bund Garden police immediately after the incident that caused a flutter in the city, later alleged that his NCP rival Bapu Pathare was behind the attack.

The NCP city unit chief Jaidev Gaikwad has denied his party's involvement in the incident, saying it was a "political stunt".

Bhosale said he drove the injured driver to a private hospital in the vicinity where he was being treated for a bullet wound.

The car that was parked in the police station premises bore a bullet hole on the windscreen.

Bhosale said the two assailants, clad in jeans, were in their 30s.

The candidate appealed to Sena workers to maintain calm till the October 13 voting was over.

"We shall decide on our future course of action after consulting our leaders," he added.

The driver, who suffered a bullet injury in the chest, was stated to be out of danger.

Meanwhile, Congress candidate from Kalyan, Alka Awlaskar was attacked by unidentified persons late last night in Thane district.

Alka, the Congress nominee from Kalyan West constituency, was returning home after campaigning at Titwala and Kalyan when the attack took place near Goveli village.

Unidentified persons pelted stones at her car smashing its window panes. Alka, who received injuries, is undergoing treatment at Govili hospital.