NCP Defends Tickets to Pune Gangsters: 'Public Demand' Cited for Andekar, Marne

• NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) issued 120-125 AB forms in Pune, including to individuals with criminal backgrounds like Gajanan Marne and Bandu Andekar.
• Spokesperson Vikas Pasalkar justified the decision, stating candidates were previously corporators and given another chance.
• NCP claims no 'wrong incidents' occurred when these individuals were part of the party, and they are elected by the people.
• The party cited 'public inclination' and 'local citizens' pressure' as reasons for giving tickets, especially to women from these families.
• NCP gave a 'clean chit' to the Andekar family, noting their 30-35 years in local politics and lack of local complaints.

Why It Matters: NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) defends giving tickets to candidates with criminal backgrounds in Pune, citing public demand and past performance.