Pune: With Assembly election preparations in full swing, Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol's recent visit to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray’s residence in Mumbai has stirred speculation in political circles.

The meeting, held amidst the final phases of election strategies, has led many to wonder if Mohol is seeking Thackeray's support to influence political outcomes in Pune.

Mohol has been entrusted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with overseeing several key constituencies in Pune and Marathwada for the upcoming elections. His efforts are focused on ensuring a smooth victory for BJP and its alliance candidates in these areas.

Meanwhile, the MNS, under Raj Thackeray’s leadership, has announced its intention to contest approximately 250 seats independently across Maharashtra.

The party is preparing to field candidates in Pune city’s key constituencies, including Hadapsar, Kothrud, Shivajinagar, Kasba, and Parvati.

A significant meeting of MNS leaders is scheduled for today at Shivtirth, where Raj Thackeray will personally assess eight constituencies in Pune city and 13 in the district.

Ten senior MNS leaders from the district, including a district chief, a city chief, six state general secretaries, and two spokespersons, are expected to attend. The finalization of candidates for these constituencies is anticipated during this meeting.

Mohol’s visit to Thackeray just before this crucial meeting has led to widespread speculation. Political insiders suggest that if the MNS fields candidates in these constituencies, it could impact BJP’s alliance candidates.

There is a possibility that Mohol met Thackeray to request that the MNS refrain from fielding candidates in certain key areas. However, Mohol has clarified that the visit was purely a courtesy call.