Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Descendant of Shivaji challenges Sharad Pawar's ally in Satara

Shashikant Shinde (left) and Udayanraje Bhosale (right)

In the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Satara, Maharashtra, two contrasting candidates vie for the MP seat. Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, is representing the BJP, while Shashikant Shinde, a close aide of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, is the NCP candidate.

Even though Bhosale is descended from Shivaji, he makes a point of living a normal life and tackling problems that everyday people encounter.

"I have never used Chhatrapati Shivaji's name in elections or in my life. I live in a democracy. If I am from that family, so be it. But I live as a common man," Bhosale told PTI.

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In the meanwhile, Shinde depends on the backing of Sharad Pawar, a well-known Maharashtra politician.

"The new generation needs an industrial hub, better education, an IT park and health infrastructure. We have thousands of sugarcane farmers but the ban on sugar exports by the Centre has made them angry," Shinde told PTI.

As the erstwhile capital of the Maratha Empire, the Satara constituency, which votes in Lok Sabha Elections 2024 phase 3, called after its seven forts, has a rich historical significance. The constituency covers the assembly segments of Karad North, Satara, Karada South, Patan, Koregaon, and Wai.

The area has modern problems including unemployment and poor infrastructure despite its illustrious past.

Bhosale is self-assured and does not depend on political connections, having previously won the Satara seat as an NCP candidate. He lists his achievements and pledges to meet the needs of the constituents.

While Amit Shah and Narendra Modi are leading the BJP's campaign, some supporters are disappointed with the NCP's performance and are hoping Bhosale would effect positive change.

"I had won on my strength and not on anyone's name. You can ask anyone here. People ensured my victory because of the work I have done. I have done work worth about Rs 10,000 crore in the last five years," said Bhosale.

Meanwhile, Shinde, who represented the Koregan assembly constituency in Sangli district in 2009 and 2014 as a member of the undivided NCP, told PTI, "In some villages, every household has a member in the military. But no fresh recruitment is happening in the police or military. Our boys have no option but to enrol as Agniveers (who serve in the armed forces for four years). So people are angry. I want to make a model city. People have seen my work in the state legislature. I have spoken about the injustice done to them. Now, I will try to raise their problems in Parliament."

With 16 candidates and 18.6 lakh eligible voters, Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Satara holds significance within the broader political scene of Maharashtra.