Netas woo wanjale wife, ask her to fill his shoes

Leaders of many parties try to get deceased MLA's wife Harshada on board to contest Khadakwasla bypoll

Leaders of many parties try to get deceased MLA's wife Harshada on board to contest Khadakwasla bypoll

The unexpected demise of MNS MLA Ramesh Wanjale may have left a deep void in the party, but the only person capable of filling his shoesu00a0-- by consensus across party lines-- is a Congress member of the zilla parishad; his wife Harshada Wanjale.u00a0 "It is sad that Wanjale is not alive to see his own dreams, as many party leaders are approaching me to take the onus of contesting from the Khadakwasla constituency," said Harshada, who said her husband also wanted her to become an MLA one day. "My husband was humble, generous and had lot of faith in my abilities. He always used to tell me that he would make me an MLA some day." The general view is that irrespective of the party she contests for, Harshada would be able to garner sympathy votes.


Golden opportunity: Politicians feel Ramesh Wanjale's wife is sure to
win from the Khadakwasla constituency irrespective of the party she is in,
as she is bound to get sympathy votes. File Pic

Harshada said the vacuum left by Ramesh's absence was a moral setback. "The children are still in school and lot of responsibilities lie on me. Though many party leaders have asked me to contest the bye-election from Khadakwasala, I am not in a position to take this crucial decision," she said.u00a0 "I have not decided anything yet, but shall give my answer by the end of this month. I need to think it over."u00a0 Harshada was equivocal on an impending loyalty alignment with the MNS.u00a0 "I need to be emotionally stable before taking such a complicated decision," she said. "I shall be mentally prepared to speak on this issue in another 40 days."

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray met her after Wanjale's death and is planning another meeting this week. Earlier, almost all the party leaders including Sharad Pawar, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, MP Supriya Sule, BJP MLA Madhuri Misal, former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh met Harshada to offer their condolences.u00a0Anil Shidore, general secretary, MNS, Pune, said the party was in touch with Harshada on the issue of bye-election in Khadakwasala. "Party President Raj Thackeray had a word with her and there shall be more talks soon. Senior leaders like Ram Kadam are also in touch with Harshada and the Wanjale family," Shidore said.

MLA's Raj dream
Besides making her an MLA, Harshada said another one of her husband's dream was to see Raj Thackeray rule the state. "My husband had strong faith on Raj saheb and wished that one day he should rule Maharashtra by becoming the chief minister," Harshada said.

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