PUNE, Dec. 31 -- Alleged criminal connections have come to light in the Pune civic polls, with several candidates linked to gangsters entering the race, sparking strong political reactions. The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has issued an AB form to Jayashree Marne, wife of Pune gangster Gajanan alias Gajya Marne, as the official candidate for Bavdhan. Despite the party not yet releasing its final list, the AB form effectively confirms her candidacy. Gajanan Marne has multiple criminal cases against him, including charges under MCOCA. Additionally, the NCP has issued an AB form to Bapu Nayar from Ward No 39, who has a history of criminal cases, including attempt to murder and land grabbing. According to party sources, Jayashree Marne, Harshwardhan Mankar, son of Deepak Mankar, and Rupali Thombre Patil received AB forms and filed nominations on the last day. Separately, alleged gangster Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar, his daughter-in-law Sonali Vanraj Andekar, and sister-in-law Laxmi Udaykant Andekar filed nomination papers from Ward No. 23 on Tuesday. While Bandu Andekar has filed as an independent candidate, Laxmi and Sonali are believed to have contested on the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) ticket, though there was no official confirmation. NCP city unit president Subhash Jagtap said the party has forged an alliance with the Republican Party of India (RPI), led by Sachin Kharat, through which Sonali Andekar and Laxmi Andekar have been nominated from ward number 23. Justifying the candidacies, Jagtap said the Andekar family has a political background. "Vatsala Andekar was the mayor of the city. Udaykanya Andekar, Bandu Andekar's late brother, was also a corporator," he said. He added that Jayashree Marne had earlier contested civic polls....