India, June 2 -- The NCP on Monday nominated Vikram Kakade for the legislative council election from the Pune Local Authorities Constituency, overlooking several senior aspirants, including former MLA Sunil Tingre. The decision has sparked resentment within the Pune unit, as Kakade was not even a member of the party when he was chosen. He formally joined the NCP only hours later, along with his father, former BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kakade, at Ajit Pawar's Jijai bungalow in Pune.

A senior NCP functionary said the decision was largely due to Vikram's proximity to Parth Pawar, Rajya Sabha MP and party chief Sunetra Pawar's son. "Vikram's selection indicates how Parth is now calling the shots in the party with silent approval from his mot...