MLC Polls: BJP-Congress showdown in Solapur; BJP faces NCP(SP) in Satara-Sangli

Kolhapur: The stage is set for a direct face-off between the ruling Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for the upcoming Legislative Council (MLC) elections. In the Solapur local body seat, the BJP will take on the Congress, while in the Satara-Sangli constituency, the BJP faces a challenge from the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

On the final day for filing nominations, Rajendra Raut, former BJP MLA from Barshi, filed his papers as the official BJP candidate for the Solapur seat. He was accompanied by senior BJP leaders and MLA Babasaheb Deshmukh of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP). Within the MVA alliance, the seat was allotted to the Congress, which has fielded Aditya Fettepurkar.

While former MLC Prashant Paricharak was also a contender for the BJP ticket, the party chose Raut, citing his role in the party’s recent resurgence in local body elections. However, both sides face potential sabotage from rebels. Notable independent filings include Vasant Deshmukh NCP(SP), Nagesh Akkalkote and Dhananjay Dhikole [Shiv Sena (UBT)], and Ramesh Baraskar and Mahesh Sathe (Shiv Sena-Eknath Shinde).

For the Satara-Sangli seat, the BJP has nominated Dhairyashil Kadam, while the NCP(SP) has officially fielded Pratap Patil. The BJP’s choice has sparked internal friction; Shekhar Gore—brother of Minister Jaykumar Gore—was an aspirant for the ticket and expressed his bitterness publicly.

In a message directed at CM Devendra Fadnavis, Shekhar Gore wrote: “Sir, what mistake have I committed? Following your directions, I worked for the BJP, burying all past differences. I ensured the party’s candidates won by huge margins, and the people of Man-Khatav are witnesses to this. I always heard you were a leader who keeps his word; today, I realiSed the truth.”

Minister Jaykumar Gore stated that the party would eventually recognise his brother’s dedication. Other candidates who filed nominations for this seat include Mayur Patil and Sanjay Mendhe (Congress), and Abhaysinha Jagtap [NCP(SP)] from Satara’s Man tehsil.

The nominations will be scrutinised on Jane 2. The voting will take place on June 18. The results will be declared on June 22.