Pune polls 2012: Money rules selection process

Although party bosses said they would select candidates for the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) elections on the basis of political knowledge and education, the all powerful vitamin ‘M’ or money power plays its role in the selection process.

Knowing that their to-be political bosses attach importance to money power, the hopefuls go for an all-out display of their money power during the interviews, with women aspirants taking the lead.

The National Congress Party (NCP) had over 800 aspirants, who were interviewed by deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar.

Aspirants of the NCP as well as Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demonstrated their money power in rallies conducted for interviews. Some  hired 300 vehicles and manpower at the rate of Rs200 per head.

The NCP aspirants in Ravet, Pimple Nilakh, Pimple Saudagar, Dapodi and Wakad led the race as the value of land has gone up in these areas.

Old and loyal party members expressed disappointment over the senior leaders’ selection criteria.

Though Pawar said the party would not look at relatives, yet during the interviews in Bhosari and Thergoan, he sought information about the relatives of the aspirants, sources said.