Lok Sabha polls: Battle lines drawn for Phase 4 on May 13

Among the Opposition, Congress will contest from three, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena from four and Sharad Pawar-led NCP- SP will fight from four.

Nandurbar (ST)

The traditional stronghold of Congress was won by BJP’s Dr Heena Gavit in 2014 and again in 2019. In 2024, former minister and MLA KC Padvi’s son advocate Gowal Padvi from Congress will take on incumbent Dr Gavit — daughter of state’s Tribal Development minister Vijaykumar Gavit. Children of top two leaders from the district are going to contest from this tribal dominated district on the Gujarat border against each other.

Dr Heena Gavit (BJP) vs advocate Gowal Padvi (Cong)

Jalgaon

A traditional stronghold of the BJP witnessed political upheaval after the BJP denied ticket to incumbent Unmesh Patil. Former MLA Smita Wagh — an old timer from the party, was given the ticket. Patil joined the Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray. However, he extended support to Sena candidate and former city council president from Patola, Karan Pawar. This is for the first time that both these parties are contesting against each other from Jalgaon.

Smita Wagh (BJP) vs Karan Pawar (SS-UBT)

Raver

In a surprising turn of events, the BJP retained its incumbent MP Raksha Khadse — daughter-in-law of BJP-turned-NCP leader Eknath Khadse. The announcement comes amid the possibility of Khadse, himself contesting the seat from NCP-SP. However, he is now set to join the BJP despite strong opposition within the party. The NCP-SP has given tickets to industrialist Shriram Patil. A seat known for its overwhelming population of Leva-Patil community has been a traditional stronghold of the BJP.

Raksha Khadse (BJP) vs Shriram Patil (NCP-SP)

Jalna

Jalna, the epicenter of Maratha agitation in 2023, has been with the BJP since 1996. Five-term Lok Sabha MP Raosaheb Danve is seeking his sixth term and challenging him will be Kalyan Kale from Congress. A battle, which seemed virtually one-sided in favour of the BJP, has now turned interesting, especially after the reports of Maratha anger against the ruling side.

Raosaheb Danve (BJP) Vs Kalyan Kale (Cong)

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The headquarter of Marathwada region sprung a surprise in 2019 when it elected Imtiyaz Jaleel of AIMIM, defeating undivided Shiv Sena’s four-term MP Chandrakant Khaire. While Jaleel is contesting again for his second term, Khaire will fight from Thackeray-led Sena. State minister and MLA Sandupan Bhumre will be the third major contestant in this race.

Imtiyaz Jaleel (AIMIM) Vs Chandrakant Khaire (SS-UBT) vs Sandipan Bhumre (SS)

Maval

Maval in western Maharashtra was constituted after the delimitation process in 2009 and Shiv Sena has been winning the seat since then. Sena’s incumbent Shrirang Barne is contesting for his hat-trick and challenging him would be Sanjog Waghere from Thackeray-led Sena. One of the most unique constituencies in terms of geography, it covers parts of Pune district and of coastal Raigad district as well.

Shrirang Barne (SS) vs Sanog Waghere (SS-UBT)

Pune

Pune will witness one of the most interesting battles in the state this time, where three first-timers and well-known politicians are in the fray. The BJP has fielded former Pune mayor Muralidhar Mohol, while Congress has given ticket to its new-found star MLA Ravindra Dhangekar. Former MNS leader Vasant More will contest from Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA). The Congress won last in 2009 when Suresh Kalmadi defeated Anil Shirole of the BJP. In 2019, late Girish Bapat of the BJP secured over 61 per cent of the polled votes to win. Despite his demise while in office, no bypoll was held.

Muralidhar Mohol (BJP) vs Ravindra Dhangekar (Cong) vs Vasant More (VBA)

Shirur

A western Maharashtra seat, which came into existence in 2009 after the delimitation experiment, was won twice by Shiv Sena’s Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil and by NCP’s Amol Kolhe in 2019. After the split in both the parties, Kolhe will contest this time from Sharad Pawar-led NCP – SP. Adhalrao-Patil changed his party to join the Ajit Pawar-led NCP as the seat went to Ajit Pawar in seat sharing talks of the ruling alliance. Both contestants from 2019 will again fight in this election from different parties.

Amol Kolhe (NCP-SP) vs Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil (NCP)

Ahmednagar

The BJP has won this seat three times in a row and sitting MP Sujay Vikhe-Patil has been given a ticket once again by the party. Son of state Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Sujay has benefited from his family’s strong network of educational institutes, sugar mills and businesses. To counter him, Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP has fielded MLA Nilesh Lanke, a first-generation politician who has risen through the ranks winning local body polls and known for his street-smart political moves.

Sujay Vikhe-PAtil (BJP) vs Nilesh Lanke (NCP-SP)

Shirdi (SC)

Shirdi (SC seat) came into existence after the delimitation exercise in 2009 and since then Shiv Sena has been winning the seat. In 2024 as well, after the split in the Sena, former MPs are fighting among themselves. Incumbent Sadashiv Lokhande will contest from Shinde-led Sena, while former MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure has joined hands with Sena-UBT. Miffed over being denied the ticket, Congress’ Utkarsha Rupwate will fight from the VBA.

Sadashiv Lokhande (SS) Vs Bhausaheb Wakchaure (SS-UBT) Vs Utkarsha Rupwate (VBA)

Beed

Known for its highly polarised environment and caste consolidation, Beed witnesses a heated battle between Pankaja Munde of the BJP — who is replacing her sister and incumbent MP Preetam Munde — and Bajrang Sonwane of the NCP-SP. Munde family has been winning the seat since 2009 and is also known to be controlling the district’s politics. Sonwane had challenged the Mundes in 2019 as well.

Pankaja Munde (BJP) vs Bajrang Sonwane (NCP-SP)