Ahead of MLC poll, Congress dissolves Ahmednagar committee.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra parliament on Thursday dissolved the Ahmednagar District Council for spreading a candidate other than the party’s backing for the upcoming Legislative Council elections.

“The Congress Party extended its support for Shubhangi Patil for constituency elections for Nashik Division graduates, but members of the Ahmednagar District Congress Committee campaigned for an independent candidate instead,” said Patole.

Patil, who is running as an independent candidate, has the support of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which is made up of Parliament, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party.

Patole said Ahmednagar District Rural Council Committee Chairman Suresh Salunkhe was also suspended for “anti-party” activities.

The development came days after Parliament’s Legislative Council member Sudhir Tambe withdrew from the race on 12 January, the last day to submit nominations, and said his son Satyajit Tambe would compete in the Nashik Division graduate constituency. Satyajit then filed documents for independence.

Parliament suspended Sudhir Tambe and Satyajit from the party.

Sudhir Tambe is a staunch MP and close relative of former Maharashtra Minister Balasaheb Thorat, both influential leaders in Ahmednagar.

The terms of the five members of the Legislative Council (two alumni and three faculty members) expire on February 7. The election of new members of the House of Councilors is held on January 30, and the counting of votes is held in February. 2.

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