Sources closed to Pawar told The Financial Express that the Maratha leader held talks with a veteran PWP leader Datta Patil, RPI leader and a former MP from Akola, Prakash Ambedkar and BM legislator Makhram Pawar. PWP has following in Raigad, Solapur, Nanded and parts of southern Maharashtra and Marathwada while Ambedkar enjoys a wide support in Akola, Washim and certain parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. While Makhram Pawar has got stronghold in Vidarbha region.

Pawar who had led a Progressive Democratic Front government in 1978 in the state will also use manipulative tactics to bring in other like minded parties like Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, Republican Party of India led by Ramdas Athavale, CommunistParty of India, CPM, Bharat Vikas Paksha led by the Shiv sena dissident leader Ganesh Naik, Kamgar Aghadi founded by the militant trade union leader late Datta Samant. The Maratha leader is believed to have decided to concentrate on giving prominence to minorities, backward classes, other backward classes in decision making and candidature in the ensuing Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

Pawar led alliance of Congress-RPI and Samajwadi Party had swept the 1998 general elections when it had secured 37 of the total 48 seats in the state while only 10 were won by the ruling Sena-BJP alliance. The prestigious Raigad seat was won by PWP niminee Ram Thakur defeating the Congress candidate and former chief minister AR Antulay. Incidentally, Thakur was lured by Pawar during the non confidence motion against the BJP-led government in April 17 as he voted in support of opposition parties.

Pawar had already held initiatial talks with the rebel Sena leader Ganesh Naik who is belived to have offered his support duringthe ensuing Lok Sabha polls. Naik who enjoys wide support in Navi Mumbai, Thane district, Solapaur and north Maharashtra is likely to stake claim for Thane and Solapur (rural) consitutencies.

Naik is believed to have assured to rope in more disgruntled elements from Sena especially youths. Naik will launch the statw-wide tour from June 12 and has expressed wish to travel alongwith Pawar in a bid to show a united effort to take on Sena-BJP combine.

Observers said that Pawar who had made an investment in various political parties not only in Marashtra but also in other states will pay a dividend to him this time. Interestingly, Pawar who is seen as the dynamic leader has been the centre of attraction mainly in youths who had largely supported the Sena during last assembly elections. However, most of them have been angry over the saffron parties' failure to fulfill promises related to jobs and welfare given to them.

Meanwhile, Pawar received a shot in the arm today when the Sena's Gujarathi speaking cellchief Mukesh Gandhi joined his party alongwith his followers.