Shinde campaigns for alliance trying to beat BJP in Solapur ZP polls

Kolhapur: Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday addressed a rally at Vairag in Solapur's Barshi tehsil for Maha Aghadi, the political front formed jointly by the two factions of the Shiv Sena and the NCP to defeat BJP in the Solapur zilla parishad poll.In Barshi, there are six electoral divisions of ZP, of which Shiv Sena is contesting two, Sena (UBT) one, and NCP two seats. NCP (SP) has fielded its candidates on NCP's ‘clock' symbol. Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Barshi MLA Dilip Sopal is leading the Maha Aghadi.Shinde, addressing the rally, said, "If Sopal had not boarded another bus last time, he would have been a minister now. Sopal is an MLA for the seventh time now; he will again be elected for the eighth time. We will keep his honour."Maha Aghadi is formed to stop BJP's winning streak. Under the leadership of former MLA Rajendra Raut, BJP won the APMC election and the Nagar Parishad election in Solapur. Dy CM Shinde said the demand to make Vairag a separate tehsil will be met.In Pennur village of Mohol tehsil, Shinde addressed a rally for Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP candidates. Here, he remembered Ajit Pawar, who died in an aircrash in Baramati on Jan 28. Shinde said that, with Ajit Pawar's passing, it is hard for him to campaign for the ZP election. However, he said that the elections are for the workers who toiled hard during the assembly election to make their leaders win.Shinde said the opposition is asking about the promises made to farmers and Ladki Bahin. "We promised to waive farm loans. A committee is set up in this regard. The committee will soon submit its report. The demand for increasing the monthly payment to the Ladki Bahin beneficiaries to Rs 2,100 will also be fulfilled," said Shinde.