Puneites will support me for my work: Vasant More

Pune: The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) led by Prakash Ambedkar has fielded candidates from Pune and Maval. Vasant More is the party’s candidate from the Pune Lok Sabha constituency while Mangaldas Bandal is in the fray from the Maval Lok Sabha seat.

After leaving the MNS, More approached Ambedkar, who announced his candidature from Pune on Tuesday. Later, Vasant More addressed the media. He said, “The Puneites will support me for my work in the city. I am sure that they will elect me as their MP.”

More was earlier with the MNS. He resigned from the party’s primary membership saying his local colleagues advised party president Raj Thackeray to not contest from the Pune Lok Sabha seat. He was resolved to throw his hat in the ring. He met Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule and Manoj Jarange Patil. More is a former corporator and former MNS city unit president. He is quite active on social media. Pune will now see a triangular contest with the Maha Yuti’s Murlidhar Mohol, MVA candidate Ravindra Dhangekar and VBA’s Vasant More. Whether More’s candidature will be beneficial for one of his two nearest rivals or he himself gets elected remains to be seen.

More said, “I met MVA leaders and requested them to field me from their side. However, I did not get the ticket. Then I met Ambedkar. I had a long discussion with him. Finally, he gave me an opportunity to serve the people. I am at an advantage in this election. I will win with a minimum margin of 55,000 votes. Moreover, the Puneites will support me for the work I have done in the city.”

‘I will criticise my opponent’s parties’

Vasant More said, “I have worked with Mohol and Dhangekar in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Both are my good friends. I will not criticise them personally. I will continuously express my views about my opponents’ parties and their policies.”

Prakash Ambedkar said, “We have not fielded a candidate from Baramati. You can draw your conclusions as to who I have supported, whether it is Supriya Sule or someone else. Both of our party candidates in the district are very strong. The VBA has a good presence in Pune and we will work unitedly.”