NCP chief Sharad Pawar confirms he will not contest 2019 Lok Sabha polls

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar clarified on Saturday that he will not be contesting in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Back in 2014, Pawar had declared that he had been in the political arena for more than 50 years and would not contest in elections henceforth. In the General elections held that year, NCP won only four seats – it's lowest tally in several years. There was speculation that the NCP chief may contest from Pune constituency to boost his party's prospects.

The announcement came after a meeting with party leaders office to short-list names of aspirants for the upcoming General Elections. Out of 48 seats in the state, NCP has staked a claim on 25.

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad also said on Twitter that Pawar was not in the running. In a meeting held on Sunday, all district party leaders have been called to show their willingness, strength and weakness as candidates.

Sources said that NCP is likely to field the big names such as senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal, Sunil Tatkare, Bhaskar Jadhav, Dilip Valse-Patil and Dr Satish Patil.

"Former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's son Parth – the fourth generation politician from the clan – had also shown interest in contesting elections," say sources, "However, Sharad Pawar turned down his proposal saying senior party leaders will be given the priority."

There is conjecture that the party is likely to drop Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale and Kolhapur MP Dhananjay Mahadik from the list.

"Most MLAs from these areas are not happy with the incumbent MPs," said a party worker who was present at the meeting. "They complained that Bhosale and Mahadik have not been working to strengthen the party and should be replaced. They are likely to be replaced by ex-MP Shriniwas Patil and former minister and MLA Hasan Mushrif. In Madha Lok Sabha constituency, sitting MP Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil is likely to be replaced by his son Ranjitsinh Mohite-Patil. Supriya Sule will continue to contest from Baramati."

LIKELY NCP CANDIDATES FOR 2019

• Chaggan Bhujbal, Nashik 
   
• Sunil Tatkare or Bhaskar Jadhav, Raigad 
   
• Dr Satish Patil, Jalgaon (Rural) 
   
• Supriya Sule from Baramati 
   
• Shrinivas Patil from Satara 
   
• Dilip Walse-Patil from Maval