Pune: Chinchwad Assembly constituency witnessed a strong display of support today as Mahayuti candidate Shankar Jagtap filed his nomination, accompanied by his supporters.

The rally, starting from the party office in Pimpri Gurav village, culminated at the election office in Chinchwad, where Jagtap submitted his nomination with the current MLA, Ashwini Laxman Jagtap, family members, and party officials in attendance.

Expressing confidence in his candidacy, Jagtap took a jab at his opponent, Maha Vikas Aghadi’s Rahul Kalate, saying, “I do not see an equally strong opponent. Had it been a leader or worker from Sharad Pawar’s party, the competition would have been stronger.”

This statement highlighted Jagtap’s confidence in the Mahayuti’s position in the Chinchwad constituency.

Addressing the situation with Mahayuti’s Nana Kate, who recently filed an independent nomination after breaking ranks from the Ajit Pawar faction,

Jagtap mentioned ongoing talks with Kate, expressing optimism that the party leaders would find a resolution. “We are in discussions about him withdrawing his nomination, and I am confident the party leadership will address it,” he said.

Jagtap further affirmed his commitment to his responsibilities, saying, “We have always worked in memory of the late Laxman Jagtap. After Ashwini Laxman Jagtap, the party has given me this responsibility, and I am confident I will fulfill it properly.”

Shankar Jagtap, who has previously served as a corporator, now faces the challenge of appeasing a group of disgruntled former corporators who oppose his nomination.