Nomination day drama in Pune as Shiv Sena candidate alleges AB form sabotage

Eknath Shinde

High drama unfolded on the final day of nomination filing for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections on Monday, after a Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) candidate alleged that her nomination was deliberately sabotaged.

Padma Shelke, the party’s candidate from Ward No. 3, broke down in tears outside the election office, claiming that her official AB Form required to contest as an authorised party candidate, was “stolen” despite having been approved by the party leadership. Monday marked the last day for filing nomination papers.

Shelke said she had been actively working in her ward for several months and had received approval from senior party leaders. However, she alleged that the form was diverted before it reached her, as part of a planned conspiracy to benefit another aspirant.

“Those who did not do the work received the forms, but an injustice has been done to a loyal worker like me,” Shelke said, questioning why committed party workers were being sidelined. She further alleged that repeated attempts to raise the issue with senior leaders failed to yield any response.

The distraught candidate announced that she would approach the police over the matter. “My name is on my form, and I must get it back,” she said.

The episode has once again drawn attention to the turmoil surrounding ticket distribution and AB form allocation in several Pune Municipal Corporation wards in the run-up to the elections.

According to reports, confusion prevailed at multiple election offices after more than one candidate from the same party reportedly received AB forms for the same constituency.

The situation has been particularly volatile within the Shinde faction, which has been allotted only 16 seats out of the total 165 to be contested in the civic polls.