Pune: BATTLELINES are now drawn in Lok Sabha elections from Pune district. This became clear after the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party announced the candidature of Sunetra Pawar from Baramati Lok Sabha seat and the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party announced the name of Supriya Sule from Baramati and Amol Kolhe from Shirur Lok Sabha seats.

Earlier, the BJP had announced the name of Murlidhar Mohol, former mayor of Pune, from Pune Lok Sabha seat. And the Congress had announced the name of Ravindra Dhangekar from the same seat.

Similarly, the Shiv Sena (UBT) had announced the name of Sanjog Waghere from Maval Lok Sabha seat and the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had announced the name of Shrirang Barne from Maval Lok Sabha seat.

The stage is now seat for a tough campaigning. All eyes will focussed especially on Baramati seat where it is a Pawar family battle. Though Sunetra Pawar, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule, daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar are battling it out, the real battle is between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar. Since Ajit Pawar had divided NCP and got the rights of party name and symbol, Sharad Pawar, who founded the party, are at odds. It has a become a matter of prestige for both the Pawars. If Sharad Pawar loses, it will be big loss of face for the Maratha leader who had over the years pushed the development of Baramati. If Ajit Pawar wins, he can lay claim to the chief ministerial post which he has been longing for long.

In Pune city, the Congress hopes have risen with the Ravindra Dhangekar winning the Kasba Peth assembly poll last year. The Congress which was mauled in last two elections in Pune city Lok Sabha seat, is eyeing a comeback of sorts.

In Shirur seat, actor Amol Kolhe who is the sititng MP will take on Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil who has joined NCP after quitting Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as part of the seat-sharing arrangment. It is heading for an interesting battle as Ajit Pawar has vowed to defeat Kolhe who is known for his popularity as an actor among the masses.

In Maval, two-time sitting MP Shrirang Barne will take on Sanjog Waghere who has been fielded by the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray. Barne is facing opposition from his own alliance partners like the NCP and the BJP. However, Waghere is not considered a strong challenge to Barne since he has already defeated the like of Parth Pawar who hails from the powerful Pawar family in 2019 elections.