Shiv Sena humbles NCP in its bastion

Shirur, Pune: Western Maharashtra is known to be the bastion of the Nationalist Congress Party and home to powerful sugar barons.

But the big shock this election was the saffron surge in the sugar belt.

Shirur, near Pune, signals the changing times in Sharad Pawar's stronghold. The Shiv Sena-BJP combine won four seats in western Maharashtra -- their highest tally ever, while the NCP -- grappling with rebels -- has been humbled.

As NDTV traveled through this region, people were vocal about why they voted for the Shiv Sena even though NCP ministers camped here throughout the election season.

The Sena capitalised on local opposition to land acquisition, especially for the international airport at Chakan.

Advertisement

"He was agriculture minister but still the maximum farmer suicides happened during his time. For the common people now it's going to be Sena and Sena only," said a local.

Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, the Shiv Sena MP is a businessman who has won his second term from here, is basking in his victory.

Advertisement

"Sharad Pawar himself addressed 16 rallies here while Ajit Pawar held over 40 rallies. But people have voted me for the development works I did here," said Patil.

The results have come as a shock to the NCP.

Advertisement

"We will have to analyse seriously where we have gone wrong," said NCP MP Supriya Sule.

The shocking results have clearly indicated that Pawar is losing his hold over the sugar belt and in the run up to the Assembly elections, the problem for the party is it will not just have to deal with the Sena-BJP but also a very confident Congress.