A former IPS officer and a tribal leader are seeking to break Pawar dynasty's stranglehold over this Lok Sabha constituency by unseating NCP supremo's daughter Supriya Sule when people vote on April 17.
Pawar, who represented the seat in Parliament six times, shifted himself to Madha constituency in Solapur district in 2009 and handed over the seat to Sule who had won from there with a massive margin of over 3 lakh votes in previous elections.
Seeking re-election, Sule is locked in a triangular contest against Mahadeo Jankar, a tribal leader fielded by Shiv Sena-BJP-RPI alliance in Maharashtra, and Suresh Khopde, a former IPS officer, who is Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) nominee.
The constituency, which comprises Daund, Indapur, Purandar, Bhor, Baramati and Khadakwasla assembly segments, has about 16 lakh electorate.
Representing a dominant chunk of rural voters, laced with a lone assembly segment of semi-urban populace, the seat has always been in the focus during elections for the perceived lopsided development, observers say.
"The topography of the region is not conducive to good rainfall. But no efforts have been spared by me, Pawar sahib (Sharad Pawar) or Ajit dada (Ajit Pawar who won the elections from here in 1991) to solve the problems relating to water paucity, electricity and road network to spur development of the area," says Sule, seen as Pawar's political heir in national politics.
For first time entrant AAP, its candidate Khopade, well- known in the state for his study on police reforms, is seeking votes to break political dynasty.
"We are here to oppose families traditionally controlling politics in the country. AAP is fighting the elections in order to change the political system and empower the common man, giving him a voice in the decision making process," says Khopade.
Candidates have been raising the tempo with 'padayatras' and door-to-door canvassing in the constituency.
