NCP faces Sonavane hurdle on Shirur turf

PUNE: The NCP’s aim to wrest the Shirur constituency from the Shiv Sena appears to get tougher with the return of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) lone MLA, Sharad Sonavane, to the Sena.

The Shiv Sena had recorded a win in the constituency for two consecutive terms. But this time, senior NCP leader and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has shown keen interest in the constituency and the party is set to pitch actor-turned–politician Amol Kolhe against Shiv Sena’s Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil. The NCP’s aim is to cash in on Kolhe’s popularity because of his roles as Chhattrapati Shivaji and Sambhaji Maharaj.

Political observers said the Junnar MLA’s return to the Shiv Sena has boosted the party’s chances in the battle for Shirur. A senior Shiv Sena functionary said Sonavane “is a seasoned politician and was with the party before joining the MNS”. He said, “Sonavane return to the party will eliminate chances of vote division, especially in pockets where the NCP will try to garner maximum votes”.

A senior NCP leader said, “We have launched our poll campaign. (Ajit) Pawar held the Samvaad Yatra across the constituency and the response was overwhelming. Voters want a change as the Centre and the state have failed to address the farmers’ issues.”

The Shirur constituency is spread in Pune district’s northen and eastern parts covering areas such as Bhosari, Junnar, Ambegaon, Narayangaon, Shirur, Chakan and parts of Ahmednagar road.