NCP to field R.R. Patil's widow in by-poll

As a mark of respect to former deputy chief minister late R.R. Patil, the Nationalist Congress Party has decided to field his widow Suman Patil for the April 11 by-election, the party said on Saturday.

The by-poll will be for the Tasgaon-Kavthemahankal assembly constituency.

"We have finalised her for the elections and she is likely to fill up her nomination papers March 17," a party official told IANS while requesting anonymity.

The seat fell vacant after Patil's sudden death due to cancer on February 16 in a Mumbai hospital.

Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar has made an appeal to all political parties to ensure Suman Patil's get elected unopposed and thus not to put up candidates against her as a token of respect.

While the Congress and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana have responded positively, the stand of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena would be known by Monday.

NCP activist Suresh Patil and brother of the late leader is also a strong contender for the seat.

But Pawar expressed confidence that the issue would be amicably sorted out.

On its part, the Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has made a similar demand to all parties not to oppose the elections to Bandra assembly constituency in Mumbai where by-elections are being held after the demise of its senior leader Bala Sawant.