The blue bloods of Western Maharashtra are at their fighting best again. Their previous generations either headed the princely states or served at the top of state’s military and administrative ladder. The golden sugar belt of Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur and Kolhapur, continues to bear the aura of yesteryears, and enjoys the game of thrones. Two royal seats of the Maratha empire, based in Satara and Kolhapur, are held by the descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.  

However, it’s not the “kings” who call the shots. It’s the Pawars and Fadnavis who make decisive moves here. What started in Madha constituency a month ago with re-nomination of MP Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar, will end in the departure of a member of the influential Mohite Patil family, Dhairyashil, who aspired to replace Ranjitsinh as BJP’s candidate. Dhairyashil is the nephew of former DCM Vijaysinh Mohite Patil, once a die-hard lieutenant of Sharad Pawar.