Lok Sabha Elections 2019: as constituencies go to vote NCP, BJP lock horns for supremacy

This is where the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena alliance has challenged the traditional hold of the Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana’s Raju Shetti

Despite soaring heat, voters turned out in large numbers in Maharashtra’s sugar belt as regional satraps and major political parties battled hard to gain political control over eight constituencies in the western part of the state.

Supriya Sule, the sitting MP from Baramati, after casting her vote on Tuesday. (HT PHOTO)

While elections were held in Kolhapur, Hatkanangale, Sangli, Satara, Madha, Ahmednagar, Pune and Baramati constituencies on Tuesday, the highest polling percentage was seen in Kolhapur which was more than 65% and Hatkanangale which was above 64%. The lowest was in Pune, estimated at 53-54% by the Pune district collectorate.

Prestigious battles involving political dynasties and regional satraps such as Sharad Pawar, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Udayanraje Bhosale, Vijaysinh Mohite Patil among others are being fought in Madha, Ahmednagar, Kolhapur, Hatkanangale and Sangli seats. This is where the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena alliance has challenged the traditional hold of the Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana’s Raju Shetti.

The BJP launched its most aggressive poll campaign in western Maharashtra with Pawar coming under the repeated electoral assault of the BJP’s mascot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah. Even the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced that trouncing the NCP in its bastions in Baramati and Madha was among the biggest objectives of the BJP in the 2019 polls.

These sharp battle lines reflected in the high voter turnout in the rural areas.

Till 5 pm, 65.76% voters cast their votes in Kolhapur and 64.04% in Hatkanangale . Till 5 pm, Ahmednagar saw 53.88% voting; Sangli (56.79%), Madha (55.44%) and Satara (53.31%).

While voters and political parties in Kolhapur, Madha, Sangli and Satara complained of EVM machines malfunctioning, the authorities said the technical issues were addressed promptly.

At many places, brides and grooms went to the polling stations dressed in their finery with April 23 being one of the most auspicious days for Hindu marriages.

Madha and Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituencies are witnessing battles between political dynasties led by NCP president Sharad Pawar and the Vikhe-Patils. These constituencies saw an enthusiastic voter turnout. The presence of senior citizens was notable in the rural areas as they come on bicycles, bullock carts and motorcycles to cast their votes.

Although western Maharashtra is dominated by the NCP, in the 2014 polls the BJP swept the region and grabbed Sangli, Ahmednagar and Hatkanangale constituencies. Hatkanangale’s candidate Raju Shetti was then with the saffron alliance, but later switched to the Congress-NCP alliance.