NCP may face rebellion in Shirur after Vilas Lande disappointed with actor Amol Kolhe’s entry

NCP strongman Ajit Pawar indicated that Marathi actor Amol Kolhe is likely to be the party’s candidate from Shirur for the Lok Sabha elections last week, sparking much disappointment in NCP loyalist Vilas Lande and his faction

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is likely to face a rebellion in Shirur.

Vilas Lande and Amol Kolhe. (HT)

NCP strongman Ajit Pawar indicated that Marathi actor Amol Kolhe is likely to be the party’s candidate from Shirur for the Lok Sabha elections last week, sparking much disappointment in NCP loyalist Vilas Lande and his faction.

On Sunday, the Lande faction within the NCP openly spoke of “rebellion”.

Supporters of Lande, requesting anonymity, stated they will not work for Kolhe in Shirur. The constituency is currently being represented by the Shiv Sena’s Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, a three-time MP.

Lande has been preparing to fight the Lok Sabha polls from Shirur for some time now.

Last week, on Thursday, during the Samvad rally held at Manchar in Shirur, Ajit Pawar asked the crowd to raise hands to show their backing for probable candidates as the names were read out.

When Kolhe’s name was announced, there was good response from the crowd, as compared to Lande, Devdatta Nikam and Popatrao Gawade. Nikam and Gawade are also aspiring to contest the elections from Shirur.

Last week, Kolhe quit the Shiv Sena and joined the NCP, saying he wanted to strengthen the hands of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.