PIMPRI: Ending the long suspense over his role in the Maval Lok Sabha poll, MLA and Pimpri Chinchwad BJP President Laxman Jagtap on Monday extended his support to Shiv Sena candidate and sitting MP Shrirang Barne.

Jagtap declared his support to Barne at a press conference, a day prior to the last date for filing of nominations in the Maval constituency.

Earlier, attempts made by senior Shiv Sena and BJP leaders to persuade Jagtap to support his political arch-rival Barne had proved futile, causing anxiety in the saffron alliance camp.

Shiv Sena leaders Dr Neelam Gorhe, MP Sanjay Raut, BJP leader and State Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan had personally called on the sulking MLA but in vain.

Jagtap had defeated Barne in 2009 Chinchwad Assembly poll, while Barne had defeated Jagtap in the 1014 Maval Lok Sabha poll.

Jagtap was aspiring to be the BJP candidate in the Maval parliamentary seat. 

His promise to support Barne has brought relief to the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance as the MLA has a strong base in Chinchwad and Pimpri Assembly segments of the parliamentary seat.

Meanwhile, the candidates of the two rival fronts in Maval and Shirur Lok Sabha seats will file their nomination forms on Tuesday.

NCP-Congress front’s Parth Pawar and Shiv Sena-BJP alliance’s Barne will file their nominations in Nigdi.

Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance and Dr Amol Kolhe of the NCP-Congress alliance will file their nominations in Pune.

The elections to both the seats will be held on April 29, the third phase of polling in the State.