Narvekar tries to shrug off dummy candidate tag as Ajit Pawar launches Maval campaign

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar launches NCP candidate Rahul Narvekar’s campaign in Talegaon on Tuesday. Rajesh Stephen

With NCP corporators openly supporting Peasants and Workers Party candidate Laxman Jagtap and the party refusing to set the record straight, the nomination of Shiv Sena leader Rahul Narvekar as NCP candidate from Maval had stoked speculation of him being a “dummy candidate”. However, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s statement in Mumbai on Monday and in Talegaon on Tuesday has kicked off a debate in the NCP as to whether the “covert” support from the party to Jagtap has been withdrawn.