Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan’s return to electoral politics after a 15-year gap has hit a road block with Vilasrao Patil Undalkar, who now represents Karad South in western Maharashtra, reluctant to shift from the constituency.
Mr. Undalkar has won seven times from Karad South. “He has been representing it for the past 35 years. He has a strong base here. Why should he vacate the seat?” asked a staunch supporter. Congress leaders admit that if Mr. Undalkar is forced to give up his claim, his supporters could sabotage Mr. Chavan’s election prospects as the two leaders have long been adversaries.
Mr. Chavan is from Karad, which he once represented as an MP. He was elected to the Lok Sabha three times from here but lost in 1999. Since then, he has not contested Assembly or Lok Sabha elections, but had been a Rajya Sabha member.
After becoming Chief Minister, he was elected MLC in 2011.
Besides Mr. Undalkar, Mr. Chavan will also have to pacify another contender, Congress leader Atul Bhosale, who was hoping to get the party ticket this year.
It is clear the party is unhappy with Mr. Undalkar’s adamant stand. “Mr. Undalkar has been given enough opportunities by the party. At some point you have to make way for someone else. The decision rests with the party high command,” said party general secretary Sanjay Dutt.
