Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Can a new candidate in Shirur constituency break NCP’s three-term jinx?

Last week, the NCP, against the wishes of its local leaders, announced the candidature of Dr Amol Kolhe’s from the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency.

The fight for the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency, which has been with the Shiv Sena for the last three terms, has now become interesting with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) fielding Marathi actor Dr Amol Kolhe. With Kolhe, the NCP hopes to break the jinx even as it faces a risk of infighting from loyalists.

Marathi actor Amol Kolhe was joined the NCP in February after defecting from the Shiv Sena. He has been fielded by the party from the Shirur LS constituency. (HT File Photo)

Last week, the NCP, against the wishes of its local leaders, announced Kolhe’s candidature. Kolhe was inducted into the party in February after defecting from the Shiv Sena.

With Kolhe, NCP wants to wrest the seat from sitting Shiv Sena member of Parliament (MP) Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, who was elected for the third consecutive term in 2014.

Commenting on his candidature, Kolhe said, “I respect the sitting MP Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, however, I feel that a change is needed in the political representation of Shirur constituency in the Lok Sabha. I believe that the change will happen in this election.”

The decision to field Kolhe led to disappointment among NCP leader Vilas Lande’s supporters. While Lande has exhibited his willingness to abide by the party directives, his supporters have said that they would not work for Kolhe.

Lande said, “I had already announced that even if I don’t get the party ticket, I will do as per the directives of the party. However, my workers are upset and agitated because they had been working with me for the past three months. I am trying to convince them.”

At Kolhe’s first-ever rally, Lande’s supporters had raised slogans just when NCP leader Ajit Pawar started addressing the rally. They refused to cool down despite requests from Pawar. Finally, Pawar had to warn them to keep calm.

At a subsequent rally in Manchar, Pawar asked the crowd to raise their hands after he took names of possible candidates. When he took Kolhe’s name, almost everyone raised their hands in support. But when he took Lande’s name, only a few raised their hands. An upset Lande, then, walked off.

This NCP infighting is likely to give the saffron party its fourth term in the constituency.

Sitting MP Patil said, “I have been representing the Shirur constituency for the last 15 years. In every election, NCP has tried to pitch a strong candidate against me, however, all their attempts have gone in vain. While Dr Kolhe might give me a good competition, I will emerge victorious as I know how to fight and win an election.”