Even as Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Friday tried to dissuade Vijay Shivtare, a senior leader of his Sena faction, from contesting the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, Mr. Shivtare remained firm on entering the poll fray as an Independent.
A former Minister and two-term legislator from Purandar (in Baramati), Mr. Shivtare refused to cooperate with his ally, the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which has staked its all on winning the Baramati seat – the bastion of the Pawar clan.
Mr. Shivtare, along with his supporters, met Mr. Shinde for more than an hour at the latter’s ‘Nandanvan’ residence in Mumbai, where the Chief Minister attempted to pacify the restive party leader.
