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Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Social media logs Arvind Shinde on as Cong’s Pune candidate
Arvind Shinde, the Congress’ city chief has started to plan the campaign as per senior leaders’ instructions
Arvind Shinde, the Congress’ city chief, emerged as the front runner on Thursday, to contest the Pune Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 polls, representing the party.
While the Congress party has not officially announced its candidate for the Pune Lok Sabha seat, Shinde’s name is being widely circulated on social media, as the likely candidate.
Shinde himself said that the party leadership has asked him to “start work for the Lok Sabha seat. As per senior leaders’ instructions, I will chalk out the campaign plan soon”. A corporator in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Shinde was the leader of house in civic body.
However, the other willing candidate, Mohan Joshi, said, “I too am in the race. The list will be announced in the next two days.”
A senior Congress leader in the city, speaking off the record, said, “It’s very tough to guess the party’s decision. Senior leaders may announce a name, but at the last moment, it can change.”
One thing is clear, the Congress leader added, “The candidate will be a party worker and not an outsider.”
Former city unit president Abhay Chhajed also remains in the race. Few other names, including Rajya Sabha MP associated with BJP Sanjay Kakade and Maratha outfit Sambhaji Brigade leader Praveen Gaikwad, are also keen to get the Congress ticket from Pune.
