As the Kolhapur Lok Sabha constituency elections become a talking point across the state, the fight will be tough, but Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj—the descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj—has an edge over his opponents Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction/Mahayuti candidate and sitting MP Sanjay Mandlik. Kolhapur is important for both the NDA and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and so the constituency is seeing visits from top leaders from both sides. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already addressed a huge rally in Kolhapur followed by another mega rally by MVA.

Mandalik is also seen moving around constituency, interacting with people. On the other hand, Shahu Chhatrapati, Congress-MVA candidate, is ensuring that he meets as many people as he can. The people who are a part of Shahu Chhatrapati’s campaigning told mid-day that he was confident of getting the ticket and so he started visiting villages and wadis two months ago, and this will be an advantage to him.