Amol Kolhe, the newly elected MP from the Shirur Lok Sabha seat, credits his second term to the work he has done for the people. National Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawr) leader Kolhe defeated his old opponent former MP Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil by more than 1.40 lakh votes. Patil of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP was defeated by Kolhe in 2019. In an interview with The Indian Express, the actor-turned-politician said his biggest hurdle was Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar whose personal connection with grassroots-level leaders is strong. Last year, Ajit Pawar said he would make sure Shirur MP Amol Kolhe is defeated in the Lok Sabha elections. How difficult was this election for you? What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? Amol Kolhe: More than my opponent, my biggest challenge was Ajit Pawar. As he has been the guardian minister for the district for many years, he has personal connections with leaders across political parties. But his decision to join the BJP was not something that had gone down well with people. In fact, it backfired. Other than Ajit Pawar, the state and Central agencies that were being used for political purposes were also among the challenges. What worked in my favour was that the people stood by me. The whole election was taken over by them, My work spoke for itself — people supported me and I won with over 1.40 lakh votes. As an MP, what work will you be undertaking? Amol Kolhe: My priority would be to start the Pune-Nashik railway project. The project is in the tendering stage. As soon as the code of conduct will be eased, I will get the project tendered. This is an important project for the area. Other than that, the Indrayani Medical Centre would also be an important project I would undertake Barring Shirur, all the other MLAs in your parliamentary constituency were represented by Opposition parties. Assembly elections are months away. What would be your strategy to turn the picture? Amol Kolhe: In the last elections, the picture was almost the same. When Assembly elections took place, the picture completely changed. If you see the recently declared results, barring Bhosari, I have solid and comfortable leads in all five Assembly segments. That speaks a lot about the ground support for me and the party. As MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) we had worked together and this would continue for the assembly polls also. The ground supporters have not left the party but the leaders have. Have you got any feelers from people who want to join or come back? Amol Kolhe: Of course, many people are in touch with me but the final decision would be taken by our party supremo Sharad Pawar. Many things would happen in the days to come.
