Pune: Bolstered by its recent success in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party's confidence is on the rise. Despite the intent to contest the upcoming state assembly elections under the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, internal disputes over seat allocation have led Congress to prepare for the possibility of contesting independently.

The party's senior leaders have instructed preparations for all eight constituencies in Pune, and applications from prospective candidates are now being solicited.

Congress city president Arvind Shinde stated that, following directions from Congress state president Nana Patole, applications are being invited from candidates for the Kasba, Parvati, Shivaji Nagar, Pune Cantonment, Hadapsar, Wadgaon Sheri, and Khadakwasla assembly constituencies. Interested individuals can submit their applications until August 5, after which they will be forwarded to the party's senior leadership.

Although the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance has publicly declared its intent to contest elections jointly, Congress's move to solicit applications in Pune indicates a potential shift towards an independent approach in the future.

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP has staked its claim on six of Pune's eight assembly seats, while the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction has also expressed a desire to contest six seats under the Mahavikas Aghadi banner.

Although Congress has not officially declared its stance on specific seats, it has nonetheless called for candidate applications from all eight constituencies.

In a similar manner, Congress had invited applications during the Lok Sabha elections, resulting in twenty aspirants expressing their desire to contest. Ravindra Dhangekar was selected from among these applicants, leading to his official candidacy declaration by the party.