In Kolhapur, Congress relies on royal family as it nominates Shahu Maharaj

Hours later, as Congress released its list of candidates for Maharashtra, Shahu Maharaj’s name figured in it. Reacting to the development, Congress leader and former minister Satej Patil said,”We are delighted that Shahu Maharaj of the Kolhapur royal family, a most respected figure, will be contesting on a Congress ticket. The Congress, Sena (UBT) and NCP-SP will work unitedly and leave no stone unturned for his success.”

The Congress is contesting the Kolhapur seat for the first time since 1999. From 2004, NCP which was in alliance with Congress, had contested from Kolhapur Lok Sabha seat.

The undivided Sena had won the seat in 2019. Sanjay Mandalik who had won the seat in 2019 for Uddhav Sena, is now with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Sena.

Satej Patil said, after 1999, the Kolhapur seat is now back with the party. “It is a good opportunity for Congress to redeem itself in Kolhapur. We will be contesting the Kolhapur seat after a long time, and we have an ideal candidate from Kolhapur’s royal family. The entire MVA will work as a single strong force and there is no bitterness among us,” he said.

Meanwhile, rcalling his family’s close association with Shahu Maharaj, the descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Uddhav said,”I met Shahu Maharaj today. The Thackeray family and Chhatrapati’s family share close relations which go back to my grandfather’s time. The bond will remain intact. Shahu Maharaj is MVA’s candidate. Sena will do everything possible to ensure his victory. This is now a matter of Maharashtra’s self-respect and pride. I will myself campaign for Shahu Maharaj, and will attend the victory rally,” he said.

Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut was also present along with MVA leaders.

Uddhav said he had taken the blessings of Shahu Maharaj. ”I met Shahu Maharaj in 1997-98 and today I met him again. I will keep meeting him,” he said.

Even as Uddhav came all the way to meet and announce the head of the Kolhapur royal family as MVA candidate, the latter’s son Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati was conspicuous by his absence on the occasion.

It was speculated in political circles that Sambhajiraje would avoid Uddhav as the latter had ignored him during Rajya Sabha elections two years ago. Sambhajiraje was expecting Sena to nominate him for Rajya Sabha, the party nominated its Kolhapur leader Sanjay Pawar, who lost the elections, leaving Sena and MVA humbled.

When contacted, Sambhajiraje dismissed the claim that he had avoided meeting Uddhav as he was upset with him. ”I was away campaigning for my father. Every day is important during elections. In fact, Uddhavji himself had called me and told me that MVA would field my father from Kolhapur seat. For my father’s sake, I am keeping aside my own interests for the time-being and campaigning for him,” Sambhajiraje said.