Mumbai, April 7 -- The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Monday declared Govindrao Mokate as its candidate for the bypoll to the Rahuri assembly constituency, after its former MLA Prajakt Tanpure refused to contest the election and reportedly turned incommunicado since afternoon. The announcement was made by the party's Maharashtra president Shashikant Shinde. Tanpure, a former minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, decided not to enter the fray after meeting Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan and BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil at his office in Rahuri, raising questions about whether he will continue to stay with the NCP (SP). "Tanpure didn't go to the BJP. Their leaders met him today," the NCP (SP) state president said when asked about the meeting. BJP leaders had met Tanpure as they may not be sure of winning the seat, Shinde said, adding, "I don't know why Tanpure took the decision." The Rahuri seat fell vacant after sitting BJP MLA Shivajirao Kardile died of a heart attack in October 2025. Tanpure, maternal nephew of senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil, was elected MLA from Rahuri in 2019, but he lost to Kardile in 2024. The former MLA controls the Rahuri Municipal Council and the NCP (SP) was keen that he contest the bypoll and waited for him till Monday, the last day of filing nominations, for him to make up his mind, NCP (SP) insiders said. "Jayant Patil personally tried to convince Tanpure as it was a good opportunity for him to avenge his defeat in 2024," a senior NCP (SP) leader said. Speaking to reporters after meeting the BJP leaders, Tanpure said, "Such senior leaders have come to meet me and assure me that the very issue on which we planned to contest the election will be resolved. CM Fadnavis has also shown a positive approach toward resolving development issues. My nomination form is ready. But I need to discuss this matter with party workers."=...