Maratha Royal Descendants Clash in Maharashtra’s Lok Sabha Race
Two descendants of Maratha warrior king Shivaji, Shahu Chhatrapati and Udayanraje Bhosale, are contesting the Lok Sabha election from separate seats in western Maharashtra representing rival political fronts, the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the Mahayuti, respectively.
Mr. Chhatrapati, making his electoral debut on a Congress ticket, will take on the sitting MP from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Sanjay Mandlik, in Kolhapur. Mr. Bhosale, contesting from Satara on a BJP ticket, will face NCP (SP) candidate Shashikant Shinde. Both seats go to polls in the third phase on May 7.
Mr. Bhosale, currently a Rajya Sabha MP, won the Satara seat in 2019 as a candidate of the undivided NCP but resigned within a few months and joined the BJP. However, he lost to the NCP’s Shriniwas Patil in the subsequent byelection.
’Respect for All Religions’
The BJP candidate emphasizes his belief in ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhava (Equal respect for all religions)’ and criticizes the use of Hindutva ideology in politics. He believes that politicians exploit caste and religion for selfish motives, creating misunderstandings and divisions.
’CAA Biased Law’
On the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the Congress candidate expresses concerns about its current form, claiming it was passed without adequate discussion. He argues that the law is biased and discriminatory.
Mr. Bhosale, on the other hand, believes that the CAA should not be viewed negatively. He argues that India is a welcoming nation and that people from all backgrounds should be allowed to settle here.
The selection of Mr. Bhosale and Mr. Chhatrapati as candidates is seen as a strategic move by the BJP and the Congress to capitalize on the reverence for the Maratha royal family among the electorate. Both candidates have also been fielded to tap into the ongoing agitation for Maratha reservation, which they have strongly supported.
