Jagtap today told media persons that although he would contest as an independent he still had faith in the leadership of Sharad Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal and would support the NCP if elected. He made it clear that he never intended to join the Congress led by Sonia Gandhi.

The NCP's first list of candidates for Lok Sabha and Assembly was declared in Mumbai today. As expected Sharad Pawar (Baramati), Vitthal Tupe (Pune city) and Ashok Mohol (Khed) have found place in the first list of candidates for Lok Sabha polls.

The candidates for Assembly segments are: Ankush Kakade (Shivajinagar), Rambhau Moze (Bopodi), Anna Thorat (Kasba Peth), Dilip Valse-Patil (Ambegaon), Popat Gawde (Shirur), Subhash Kul (Daund) and Ajit Pawar (Baramati).

Out of 18 assembly constituencies in Pune city and district, party leaders could finalise only seven candidates. The sources said the remaining candidates were expected to be declared by weekend.

In Pune city, the party is finding it difficult to finalise the candidates in Pune Cantonment, Bhavani Peth and Parvati assembly segments because of sharp differences at local level. While the RPI faction led by Ramdas Athavale has claimed both the seats of Bhavani Peth and Parvati, the party leadership is still in search of a strong candidate in Pune Cantonment.

Meanwhile, Jagtap, who shot to the fame in Girish Vyas case, today said he would contest the election since party leadership had failed to accommodate Mali community at all the levels. Jagtap claimed that he had talked to Pawar and Bhujbal, but both had expressed their inability to change the decision on candidate in Shivajinagar.