Bapusaheb Tukaram Pathare, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate for the Vadgaon Sheri Assembly constituency in Pune, Maharashtra, has raised concerns with local election officials, alleging that tactics involving a “dummy candidate” are being used to undermine his candidacy. Pathare claims an independent candidate with a similar name, Bapu Baban Pathare, filed his nomination on the last day, potentially confusing voters and casting doubt on the election process.

In his complaint, Pathare contends that this independent candidate failed to include crucial financial details in his election affidavit, specifically omitting information about certain outstanding loans and bank account balances. According to election rules, candidates must fully disclose their assets, liabilities, and any loans or financial commitments. However, local election officials dismissed Pathare's complaint, reasoning that minor errors in affidavits do not justify disqualification.