Shetti, Mandlik surprise winners

KOLHAPUR/HATKANANGLE: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) received a severe blow in its stronghold of Kolhapur district with its candidates
losing both Kolhapur and Hatkanangle Lok Sabha seats which the NCP had won in 2004 election.

Independent candidate Sadashivrao Mandlik, who rebelled after being denied a ticket by the NCP, defeated the NCP’s Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati by a margin of 44,800 votes in Kolhapur, while in Hatkanangle, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader and MLA Raju Shetty defeated sitting NCP MP Nivedita Mane by a margin of 95,023 votes. Shetty had supported Mandlik in Kolhapur.

In Kolhapur Mandlik secured 4,26,787 votes, while Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati received 3,82,467 votes. In Hatkanangle, Shetty got 4,80,306 votes, while Mane got 3,85,283 votes.

Later, speaking to reporters, Sadashivrao Mandlik said that he and Raju Shetty would remain with the secular forces. “We have decided to watch political developments for next few days. But one thing is certain, we will be with the secular forces,” said Mandlik.

He added that here was no question of going back to the NCP. “Kolhapur voters have given a fitting reply to the arrogance of NCP and its leaders,” said Mandlik. Shetty said that his fight for farmers would continue in New Delhi and he along with Mandlik would revive the farmers’ movement.