Leaders of many parties try to get deceased MLA's wife Harshada on board to contest Khadakwasla bypoll

The unexpected demise of MNS MLA Ramesh Wanjale may have left a deep void in the party, but the only person capable of filling his shoesu00a0-- by consensus across party lines-- is a Congress member of the zilla parishad; his wife Harshada Wanjale.u00a0 "It is sad that Wanjale is not alive to see his own dreams, as many party leaders are approaching me to take the onus of contesting from the Khadakwasla constituency," said Harshada, who said her husband also wanted her to become an MLA one day. "My husband was humble, generous and had lot of faith in my abilities. He always used to tell me that he would make me an MLA some day." The general view is that irrespective of the party she contests for, Harshada would be able to garner sympathy votes.


Golden opportunity: Politicians feel Ramesh Wanjale's wife is sure to
win from the Khadakwasla constituency irrespective of the party she is in,
as she is bound to get sympathy votes. File Pic

Harshada said the vacuum left by Ramesh's absence was a moral setback. "The children are still in school and lot of responsibilities lie on me. Though many party leaders have asked me to contest the bye-election from Khadakwasala, I am not in a position to take this crucial decision," she said.u00a0 "I have not decided anything yet, but shall give my answer by the end of this month. I need to think it over."u00a0 Harshada was equivocal on an impending loyalty alignment with the MNS.u00a0 "I need to be emotionally stable before taking such a complicated decision," she said. "I shall be mentally prepared to speak on this issue in another 40 days."